The thought of being slid into a giant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine can strike fear in the hearts of many. Even just the thought of the machine itself can cause anxiety. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. As many as 13 percent of patients who have had an MRI report feelings of anxiety and claustrophobia.
Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of tight, crowded, or confined spaces. Claustrophobia can be a serious hindrance to patients getting the care and treatment they deserve.
Is There Hope for Claustrophobia Patients?
An MRI is a potentially life-saving imaging procedure. It is very useful in examining what’s inside the body, including the brain and spine, which many doctors need to diagnose and plan treatment.
Most stories about MRI fears are related to older MRI machines that have been in use for decades. The newer MRI machines have wider tunnels, have openings at both ends, and are well-lit. MRI scans also require far less time than they used to. Advances in MRI technology are continually being made, and patient comfort remains a priority for improvements being made to the MRI machine. Case in point: the open MRI, which is a great option for patients with claustrophobia.
What’s an Open MRI?
An open MRI, just like a closed MRI, uses a magnet and radio waves to take pictures of your brain, organs, bones, soft tissues, and more. It is a machine with wide-open sides and a magnet located at the top and bottom. The patient lies on a table and passes through the open ring.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of an open MRI machine is that it is reconfigured for patient comfort. Where closed MRIs may not accommodate large or obese patients, an open MRI can accommodate these patients due to its open design. However, the greatest relief is felt among patients with claustrophobia, who no longer feel anxious going into a tight space. Finally, the words comfort and MRI can be used in the same sentence!
A truly open MRI does not involve being slid into a machine. Some facilities may make claims of having an open MRI machine when in fact what they have is an MRI that’s shorter and wider. In addressing anxiety and fear in patients, the open MRI machine is revolutionary in its design. It is an ideal option for obese, elderly, and pediatric patients. An open MRI is not suitable for all conditions, however, such as those that need deep tissue imaging.
If the thought of an MRI makes you anxious, ask your physician if an open MRI will suffice. To get the best results, choose a facility that specializes in open MRI scans.
Open MRI in Jacksonville, Lake Mary, and Pensacola, FL
Innovative Open MRI & Imaging offers the latest in MRI scanning technology. The open MRI and weight-bearing MRI (or open positional MRI) — where you are scanned in a sitting position — are available in all facilities. Our radiologists and technicians strive to provide as comfortable an experience as possible to patients needing an MRI scan.
