Open mri scanner in devon?

laura_hoggle

Hi! I'm a radiographer who works in an NHS hospital MRI department as well as general X-ray, and although not a total expert, might be able to help a little...

I know of 2 open MRI scanners that my current and previous hospital have links with. Both accept NHS patients, although neither are local to Devon.

NOC Oxford http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/services/departments/radiology/noc-radiology/

London upright MRI centre http://www.uprightmri.co.uk

Often, 'open' scanners tend to be a lower strength magnet than a lot of the 'normal' ones, so the images aren't as good. However, a lot of patients find that 'normal' MRI scanners are too claustrophobic, and we are lucky that we have the option to refer patients to an upright scanner.

I agree with ideas already posted - we often have patients who have taken a sedative or diazepam prior to the scan, and we are lucky that we are able to provide eye masks to our patients. This would need to be arranged with the GP or referring doctor prior to the appointment.

It is also very surprising, of the patients we see who say they are claustrophobic, so many are able to complete the scan. If a patient arrives and states they are claustrophobic, we always recommend they try, and make sure they know we are still there with them, while they go into the scanner. We also have prism glasses, which work as a periscope, so that when patients are wearing them, they can see outside the scanner. We will also allow a family member into the room, as long as they have completed the safety questionnaire & are also safe to enter the scan room. They can then hold the patients foot, or hand, for reassurance.

We have 2 MRI scanners, with one being a wider 'bore', or 'hole' than the other, which a lot of our patients find easier. Certain things cannot be scanned in there however, such as if a patient has a large metal implant in the body (it is possible to scan things such as hip replacements, however the metal causes blurring on images). Is there any way of finding out what your local hospital has, and perhaps visiting beforehand?

Forgive me if I'm being silly, have you contacted your local hospital, that your mum would be referred for the MRI, to see if they have links with an open scanner? I would be surprised if they don't, as this seems a rather common thing for us!

As has been previously mentioned, if it is clinically necessary that a 'normal' as opposed to 'open' MRI scan is performed, it is possible to have a general anaesthetic for the scan to be performed, however this obviously comes with it's own risks of having a general anaesthetic. It will also likely mean a longer waiting time, as an anaesthetic team will need to be present, which isn't always easy to plan!

Good luck, and I hope your mum manages to have her scan.