What is it?
Larger patients or those with claustrophobia who may have dreaded having an MRI have another option -- the Open MRI. This powerful machine yields high quality, detailed images and provides a comfortable, nonthreatening experience. The large 70 cm (27.6 inch) opening provides an open feel without compromising image quality.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe and painless way of imaging the internal structures and functions of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MRI has much greater soft tissue contrast than computed tomography (CT), making it especially useful in neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Unlike CT, it uses no ionizing radiation.
How is the test performed? With a shorter and wider magnet bore, most patients are able to enter the MRI feet first and often have their heads outside of the magnet during the study. The MRI machine generates radio waves that record signals from the body's atoms; the machine then transforms these signals into images. This is accomplished by placing your body into a cylinder that is the center of a large magnet.
What should I expect?
MRI exams take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on which part of the body your doctor wants to examine. During your scan, you will hear a rhythmic tapping sound. This is the normal sound of the magnetic fields as it scans. You may receive an IV (intravenous) injection of a contrast agent to enhance a particular body structure. MRI is considered safe at the levels of magnetic field strength used.
What can the test tell my doctor?
Detailed MRI images allow physicians to better evaluate parts of the body and certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods such as X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (also called CT or CAT scanning).
MRIs can be used to evaluate:
--The brain and spinal cord, including their blood supplies (via MRA)
-- Organs of the chest, abdomen and pelvis—including the heart, liver, biliary tract, kidney, spleen, and pancreas and adrenal glands
-- Pelvic organs including the reproductive organs in the male (prostate and testicles) and the female (uterus, cervix and ovaries)
-- Bones and joints
-- Breasts
Physicians use the MRI examination to help diagnose or monitor treatment for conditions such as:
-- Stroke, headache, memory loss/dementia, seizures, multiple sclerosis,spine disorders and other diseases of the nervous system
-- Tumors of the chest, abdomen or pelvis
-- Coronary artery disease and heart problems
-- Causes of pelvic pain in women, such as endometriosis
-- Diseases of the liver
-- Conditions involving the bile duct, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts (MRCP)
-- Breast cancer and implants
Are there risks? The MRI examination poses almost no risk to the average patient when appropriate safety guidelines are followed. Although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, medical devices that contain metal, such as pacemakers, cochlear (ear) implants and some types of clips used on brain aneurysms, may malfunction or cause problems during an MRI exam. Please speak to you physician about any concerns you have.
-- For more information on MRIs, including precautions to take, please read our
“What is an Open MRI” brochure. (PDF)
Video: Patient Testimonial: Patients talk about the open MRI
Open MRI Locations: 
Advanced Imaging Center - First Colonial, Virginia Beach
Advanced Imaging Center - Sentara Port Warwick, Newport News Advanced Imaging Center - Sentara Princess Anne, Virginia BeachSentara Bayside Hospital, Virginia Beach Sources:
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RadiologyInfo --
MedlinePlus