Your doctor has given you a referral for an MRI. Your provider wants to investigate what’s causing your troubling health symptoms. However, you’ve heard you have to lie in an enclosed tube to complete an MRI scan. You don’t think you can do it — you’re claustrophobic.
REDI Diagnostics Corp in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, has invested in a newer type of MRI machine that increases comfort if you’re claustrophobic. Our board-certified radiologists use this technology with patients who are claustrophobic.
REDI Diagnostics Corp has a variety of MRI machines geared to specific types of tests and patients.
A traditional MRI scanner is shaped like a thin, hollow tube. The sides are enclosed. Each end has a small round opening of about 23 ½ inches.
You enter the machine head or feet first, depending on what part of your body needs to be scanned. Your head may need to be inside the tube. MRI tests produce loud, intermittent bursts of noise and can last for up to an hour.
If you’re severely claustrophobic, you may not be able to complete the test when your head is inside the tube.
In 2009, short- and wide-bore MRIs were introduced in the United States. These machines are ideal for patients who are claustrophobic or obese.
Short-bore MRIs use a shorter magnet than traditional MRIs. This means the machine isn’t as long as a traditional MRI system. Only the part of your body being scanned has to be inside the tube. For example, if you’re having an exam on your leg or pelvis, your head can remain outside the tube.
Wide-bore MRIs have a wider opening than traditional MRIs. The machine is also about 6 inches wider. You have more open space around you than in a traditional MRI.
REDI Diagnostics Corp uses a GE Healthcare 1.5 Tesla short- and wide-bore MRI system for your test. This machine has a wider and taller opening than a traditional MRI. For many tests, your head can be outside the machine.
Let us know beforehand if you’re claustrophobic. We’ll take steps to help ensure your comfort. In addition, the following are some steps you can take before and during your scan.
Your physician can prescribe a sedative to take before your exam. You can request a pill to help you sleep the night before the scan and a pill to take one hour before. You’ll feel drowsy and more relaxed.
We can provide a sleep mask for the exam if you don’t have one. Using the mask helps you handle being in the tube-shaped machine.
Your technician guides you through the exam. Before the test starts, you lie on the table and take a test run while they slide the table in and out of the machine.
Our staff lets you know how many minutes each phase of the test will last. They can warn you before bursts of loud noise take place.
We have various genres of music you can listen to with earbuds we provide. Even though you hear loud noises for part of the test, the music helps you focus on something other than the MRI.
You can signal the technician during the test if needed. The test has different segments, so you have a break between them.
For some MRIs, you may be able to have a support person in the room with you during the test. We let you know in advance if this is an option.
With today’s modern technology and other assistance, you can sail through an MRI even if you’re claustrophobic. Call REDI Diagnostics Corp or book an appointment online today if you need an MRI.
