Open MRI eases claustrophobic fears

Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool capable of assisting physicians in finding diseases and injuries throughout the body. Claustrophobic people, however, often avoid these important diagnostic scans because of their fear of being in enclosed spaces. Thanks to a new open MRI scanner conveniently located on the first floor of the Saint Francis Medical Center Health and Wellness Center, claustrophobic patients can now benefit from this advanced technology.

"The Siemens MAGNETOM Espree is the most powerful open MRI scanner in the region," said Dr. Cedric C. Strange, chairman of radiology at Saint Francis. "It has superior image quality and a larger opening, creating a more comfortable scan for all patients, especially those with claustrophobia."

With a 29.5-inch opening, the new MRI scanner not only eases claustrophobia fears, but also accommodates patients up to 550 pounds (compared to 400 pounds with other open MRI scanners). The 4-foot-4-inch magnet -- which helps produce images during the scan -- is also shorter than other open MRI models, meaning 60 percent of MRI scans can be performed with the patient's head outside of the scanner. The powerful magnet allows scans to be completed quickly, without sacrificing image quality.

The new open MRI scanner can be used to perform magnetic resonance angiographies to find blockages in the arteries around the heart; produce diagnostic scans of the brain, spine, organs and joints; and conduct other standard MRI procedures.

"In addition to this new technology, Saint Francis has a full array of diagnostic capabilities, including the 64-slice CT scanner that produces high-quality images in a matter of seconds," Strange said. "There are no better diagnostic technologies available in the region than what we have at the Medical Center."

For more information on the new open MRI scanner at Saint Francis Medical Center, visit www.sfmc.net or call 331-5877.

Saint Francis Medical Center is a 254-bed facility serving more than 450,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Guided by its mission to provide a ministry of healing and wellness inspired by Christian philosophy and values, the medical center has become a progressive, innovative regional tertiary care referral center doubling in size in the last five years to best accommodate the health-care needs of those it serves. Saint Francis' major service lines, which have received a variety of national recognitions, include the Neurosciences Institute; Dr. Thomas G. Otto, Orthopedic Institute; Family BirthPlace featuring the region's first level three neonatal intensive care unit; Heart Institute; Gene E. Huckstep emergency center/level three trauma center with convenient care; Cancer Institute; rehabilitation services; and FitnessPlus.