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Many people get nervous about the prospect of getting into an MRI scanner. Not surprising as most MRI scan tubes are long and narrow and do not let in any light. But if you're claustrophobic, you might find CT scanners equally daunting. However, there are a few key differences:

1. CT scan tubes are much shorter than MRI tubes. This means that you will not be completely enclosed by the scanner. You'll be able to see out of tube and the tube will be well lit by the room lights.
2. CT scan tubes are much wider than MRI tubes. MRI tubes will frequently rub against your shoulders and hips when going in. But for most people, a CT scan tube is wide enough to easily pass in and out.
3. CT scan tables move during the test. Once you are positioned in the MRI tube, you'll be still for most of the test. During a CT scan, the table will actually slowly slide into the scanner while it takes pictures. 
4. CT scan tests are much shorter. The actual scan time can be less than 1 minute (for a Brain CT). Some CT tests take up to 5 minutes. Much shorter than the 30 or 40 minutes an MRI takes.

Check out the pictures below:

This is an MRI scanner. You can seen how "deep" the tube is. The patient is nearly completely enclosed by the tube.

This is a CT scanner. You can see how "shallow" the tube is. It's just a couple of feet deep and lets in lots of light.

If you are claustrophobic or think you might be, here are some tips:

1. Let your doctor know.  He or she may prescribe a mild sedative to help you get through the test. If you do take one, don't forget to bring someone along to drive you home.
2. Inform the Radiology staff. The technologists who do the scanning work with patients all day and can talk you through the scan.
3. During the scan keep your eyes closed. You can ask for a towel to put over your eyes. Breath normally. If you start feeling claustrophobic during the scan, talk to the technologist and let him or her know.

Do you have any tips for patients who are claustrophobic?  Leave your comments below.

Many people get nervous about the prospect of getting into an MRI scanner. Not surprising as most MRI scan tubes are long and narrow and do not let in any natural light.

If you are claustrophobic or think you might be, here are some tips:

1. Let your doctor know.  He or she may prescribe a mild sedative to help you get through the test. If you do take one, don't forget to bring someone along to drive you home.
2. Inform the Radiology staff. The technologists who do the scanning work with patients all day and can talk you through the scan.
3. During the scan keep your eyes closed. You can ask for a towel to put over your eyes. Breath normally. If you start feeling claustrophobic during the scan, talk to the technologist and let him or her know.
4. Choose an open MRI. Open MRIs were initially designed for claustrophobic and overweight patients. You can read more about open MRI scans in this blog entry. Severely claustrophobic patients may need a sedative as well.

Keep in mind that there are a few MRI tests which won't require your entire body to go into the scanner. These include MRI scans of the foot, ankle and knee.

Do you have any tips for getting through an MRI scan? What was your experience like? Leave your comments below.

Open MRI machines represent about 25% of the the total number of MRI machines installed in the U.S. Over the last several years, open MRI technology has rapidly advanced and newer open MRI machines are capable of capturing the same high resolution pictures as their closed (tube) counterparts.

Claustrophobia, children, and overweight patients

You might first discover that you're claustrophobic when getting a scan on a closed MRI. Closed MRI scanners have a tube shaped like a long donut. For most scans, your entire body will be inside the tube, with the top of the tube close to your face and your shoulders brushing its sides.

Open MRI has addressed some of these claustrophobia inducing characteristics. Some models feature a tube with a "flared" opening, like a trumpet, giving you the sense of space. In others, the sides of the tube have been "cut away" letting you see off to the side.

Open MRI has been a boon for imaging children. Many centers create a comforting environment with soft lights, music, wall hangings and a chair or bench in the scan room for family members. Open MRI scanners are much quieter than their closed counterparts, and allow both parent and child to make eye contact. 

Open MRI has given overweight patients access to high tech imaging. Open MRI scanners have a wider opening and their table weight limits are substantially higher than those of closed MRI machines. With a wider opening, positioning overweight patients into the scanner is much easier which can improve image quality.

Finding an open MRI scanner

When given the choice, consumers choose open MRI scanners over closed MRIs. So how do you find an open MRI scanner? Although you may not get comprehensive information about each facility, Google is a great resource.  Search for "open MRI" and add your local area/town/state to the search term.

Once you find a local center, here are a few tips on what to look for:

• Open MRI scanner is less than 5 years old
  
• The scanner has a field strength greater that 0.3T
• Board certified Radiologist reads your scan
  
• Certified MR technologist does your scan
  
• The facility is ACR accredited

How did you find your local open MRI scan center? What was your experience like? Leave your comments below.