Your doctor tells you that you need an MRI to help determine the root cause of your medical condition, but you can’t imagine being stuck in a tube for close to an hour. Being claustrophobic, you’re likely to have a panic attack. Is there another option?
Our board-certified radiologists at REDI Diagnostics Corp in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, help ensure the comfort of all our patients. If you’re claustrophobic in enclosed spaces, we use our wide-bore MRI rather than a traditional MRI machine.
To have an MRI, you lie on your back on a flat table. When the test begins, a technician slides the table into an MRI machine. A traditional MRI is shaped like a cylinder. Most, if not all, of your body lies inside the cylinder.
If you’re claustrophobic, you probably can’t bear the thought of having most of your body, including your face, inside something shaped like a cylinder.
A traditional MRI has a 23.6‑inch opening, while a wide‑bore MRI expands that space to 27.5 inches. Those four inches of extra height make a difference. You can lie still more comfortably during your scan.
In addition, a wide-bore machine is much shorter than a regular machine. It resembles a donut hole rather than a cylinder. This means that if the MRI is of your legs, hips, or abdomen, your face may not even be inside the donut hole.
If the idea of a traditional MRI makes your chest tighten, a wide‑bore MRI can make all the difference. Its design and comfort‑focused features help transform a stressful scan into something you can confidently get through. The following are helpful benefits of the wide-bore MRI:
If you’re claustrophobic, you probably don’t like elevators, especially small ones that hold just two people. Perhaps you have to close your eyes and have someone else drive if you’re going through a tunnel. Your claustrophobia makes you feel trapped when you’re in a small space and can lead to a panic attack.
The wide-bore MRI is a great option for you because much of your body is outside the donut hole during the procedure, rather than enclosed in a cylinder.
Some MRIs can take an hour or longer. Your scan may only last 15-30 minutes. Many wide‑bore MRI systems can capture detailed images efficiently, often in less time than older, traditional machines.
If you have a large frame, you might feel slightly compressed or confined in a traditional MRI. The wide-bore design ensures more comfort for larger people.
MRIs include intermittent loud noises that some describe as jackhammering sounds. Wide-bore MRIs use noise-reduction technology. We also provide headphones so you can listen to your choice of music during the scan.
You can have peace of mind and less anxiety knowing you’ll be able to handle the wide-bore MRI procedure. Call REDI Diagnostics Corp at 201-773-4255 or book an appointment online today if you need an MRI. Our expert radiology team is here to help you.
