What are Open MRIs, and Who Needs Them?

For the countless Americans who will visit diagnostic imaging centers this year, the open MRI has been a godsend. Even in the best case scenarios at the best radiology centers in NJ, an MRI can be a stressful ordeal. Not only are many patients anxious about the potential results of their scan, but the process itself can be physically and mentally uncomfortable. In the worst case scenario, a traditional MRI can be a nightmare for people with anxiety disorders or claustrophobia or even for young children.

That’s because an MRI requires a patient to lie inside a cramped, loud, enclosed space for 30 minutes or more. In certain cases, patients must lie prone in an MRI machine for two hours. However, an open MRI allows the patient to simply lie flat on a table, which then moves slowly through an open imaging machine (to see what an open MRI looks like, and to learn more, click here). The sides of the device are completely open, which provides incredible relief for people who experience anxiety during normal MRIs.

Who Needs an Open MRI?

Open MRIs aren’t just ideal for people with claustrophobia. They are also a great option for people who suffer from obesity. In the past, overweight patients were often forced to go to extreme lengths to find a diagnostic imaging center that could accommodate them, after they were turned away from most radiology centers in NJ. Instead, an Open MRI provides a comfortable option for a wide variety of patients.

What is an Open Upright MRI?

An Open Upright MRI, also known as Upright MRI or Stand Up MRI, is a type of diagnostic imaging machine that allows patients to stand up or sometimes sit down while taking detailed images of their anatomy. The Open Upright MRI is a great alternative for patients who are experiencing back pain or discomfort while laying down and examines the body in a natural weight-bearing position.

More importantly, these new imaging machines use the same magnetic resonance imaging technology to obtain highly-detailed images for diagnostic purposes. These high-quality images are used daily to diagnose a huge variety of diseases and conditions. For instance, 3D mammography is a hugely beneficial diagnostic tool for women at risk of breast cancer, and the simple test has already saved so many lives.

Every year in the U.S., radiology centers perform about 30 million MRIs, and with open MRIs, countless patients will be saved from excruciating pain.