Open MRI Has You Covered

Показать описание

High tech imaging is the name of the game when it comes to diagnosing everything from diseases to spine issues. But the traditional, closed MRI doesn’t fit everyone’s needs. Or size.

“The traditional closed scanner is about a 60 cm boar, which is maybe about this big. Just about the width of my shoulders; just slightly bigger. And the patient has to lay flat on the table and the table advances them into the scanner. There’s not a lot of room and actually during the scan it’s important they really lie still,” says Dr. Cory Duffek, who is a neuroradiologist for Lee Memorial Health System.

Adding to their underlying medical issue, the MRI was often a source of anxiety. Getting multiple body parts scanned could take hours. And people in extreme pain found it difficult to get comfortable. Those with claustrophobia sometimes needed sedation, until now. The option of an open MRI has them all covered.

“We can accommodate any type of body and make them as comfortable as possible not limited by the walls of the machine,” says Peter Kouba, who is an MRI technologist with Lee Memorial Health System.

The open MRI design offers a 270-degree, unobstructed view. Enough room for pillows or sometimes family or friends to hold a hand during the exam.

“So now we can image people that have never been imaged before,” says Kouba.

Until recently there was a trade-off. The price for being open was lower image quality. But new, high-field capabilities make it possible to have the best of both worlds.

“This the new high-field MRI, the strength of magnet that’s in the MRI machine is nearly that of a traditional closed scanner. So what that does is it opens up all of the same options and the same image quality that we get with a traditional closed scanner in the open environment,” says Dr. Duffek.

Tweaking technology is helping to relax a stressful situation.

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.