Magnetic Resonance Imaging
What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Magnetic resonance imaging not only does not cause any pain, but as already mentioned above, it does not cause any problems to your health, according to the medical data to date. MRI is particularly good at highlighting body fluids as well as soft tissues.
Patients who have metallic objects in their body, such as a pacemaker, cannot undergo this examination. Our staff will ask you if you have any foreign objects in your body and tell you if you can undergo the examination. There are prostheses such as for example knee implants, which are made of materials (eg Titanium) that are MRI safe and can undergo the examination. Our staff will explain all this to you and tell you which is the best option for you.
Our center has two MRI scanners. The first is a Philips Achieva 1.5 T installed in 2009 and upgraded to the latest manufacturer software versions. It has the ability to perform all MRI scans with excellent imaging quality.
The second is a Philips Ingenia Evolution 1.5 T installed in 2021. The Ingenia is a wide bore MRI ideal for claustrophobic patients. The system, fully includes a wide range of Philips packages e.g. imaging during patient motion, myocardial perfusion, DIXON techniques and much more that make it the ideal choice for any type of examination.
MRI for patients with claustrophobia
Claustrophobia is perhaps one of the biggest concerns for a patient who has to undergo an MRI examination. In our center we can do all the examinations from the chest down without having to cross the inside of the MRI. If you still have to go into the scanner, there are several things we can do to make your experience as good as possible:
1) Without Pharmaceuticals
Our center has blindfolds that you can use to block out your sight and not feel like you’re in an enclosed space. In addition, we are equipped with prismatic glasses which, when worn, refract the lines of sight so that you can see outside the magnet even if you are lying on your back. During the examination you can have a companion with you who can make you feel better during the examination while the technologist will be in constant communication with you, informing you if you wish about how much time is left until the end of the examination. Finally, always remember that ANY time you wish, you can alert the operator to take you out of the magnet.
2) With a mild tranquilizer
If you think that the above will not help, you can, after consultation, come to the center one hour before your scheduled appointment so that we can administer a mild sedative in the form of a pill. This will make you feel more relaxed and calm so that with the help of the above you will be able to complete the exam.
3) With the help of an anesthesiologist
Even if the above do not help, we can make an appointment with the center’s anesthesiologist who will make sure you sleep during the examination. This is achieved by administering an anesthetic drug before the examination which puts you to sleep. The anesthesiologist will be by your side at all times, until the moment you wake up at the end of the examination. This form of anesthesia does not require intubation, etc., so it differs from that of surgical interventions that you may want to avoid.