New technology at Novant Health takes the stress out of getting an MRI OTHER BENEFITS OF THIS NEW MRI Various conditions benefit from using the 3T system - especially breast cancer. This technology is most commonly used for screening patients at increased risk for breast cancer and for characterizing known breast cancers while simultaneously looking to find breast cancers that may not be detectable on physical exam, mammography or ultrasound. Breast MRI is also a powerful tool for evaluating breast implant rupture. Breast MRI is painless and is performed with the patient placed in a comfortable position lying face down, without compression being applied to the breasts as is done with a typical mammogram. Both breasts are imaged simultaneously, so the procedure only takes about a half an hour.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an incredibly powerful diagnostic tool. Even so, having an MRI can be intimidating. Patients typically have to lie still in an enclosed space for an extended period of time and are subjected to the distracting noises the machine makes while it captures the images it needs. Combine this with the heightened anxiety of patients using the MRI for diagnosis of potential health issues, and it’s easy to understand why the procedure may cause butterflies in the stomach. Thankfully, a new state-of-theart tool, the Signa Pioneer 3T MRI scanner from GE Healthcare, has been added at Novant Health Maplewood Imaging Center located at 3155 Maplewood Ave. in Winston-Salem. This system provides unparalleled image quality and comfort for patients in need of MRI screening, and Novant Health is proud to be at the forefront of this technology.
CLINICAL PRECISION
“Our new 3T MRI is completely noninvasive and provides superior tissue contrast resolution compared to other types of medical imaging and is ideal for helping radiologists pinpoint
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potential cancers,” says Andrew Deibler, MD, Director of MR at Triad Radiology Associates. The 3T MRI provides superior tissue resolution in many conditions especially for the detection and characterization of breast and prostate cancers.
PATIENT COMFORT
“Many are uncomfortable in a traditional MRI,” says Dr. Deibler. “But this new MRI system provides improved patient comfort and is ideal for larger patients or those uncomfortable with being in confined spaces.” The 3T system has a 70 centimeter openbore design that is able to accommodate a 550-pound patient weight limit and also operates almost silently so patients will not experience the loud noises often associated with MRIs. In addition, its free-breathing technology allows for patient movement during the procedure yet still provides faster exams, less chance of having to repeat the procedure and sharper and more accurate images. Patients are even given the added comfort of lying on a Tempurpedic bed while undergoing the scan.
Other conditions benefit from the use of the 3T MRI as well. Patients undergoing orthopedic imaging can see improved high resolution of images in particular when viewing smaller joints. Patients needing 3-D brain applications will be able to have enhanced 3T detection for Multiple Sclerosis, brain perfusion maps and functional imaging. The 3T system also can provide non-contrast whole body MR angiography. Besides those advantages, one of the key benefits is for patients needing prostate screening. For some men with diagnosed prostate cancer, MRI can help show the extent of tumor and allow for some patients with relatively low-risk disease to be followed with imaging rather than more aggressive treatment options. Until recently, prostate MRI required the use of an uncomfortable probe (endorectal coil) to be placed into the rectum. However, the Pioneer 3T does not require this endorectal coil, obtaining excellent image quality with a surface coil--a coil placed on the outside of the pelvis. For more information on Novant Health Imaging’s 3TMRI, call 1-855-794-9729. For more information on whether you are a candidate for prostate or breast MRI, please consult with your physician.