ALL MRI'S ARE NOT THE SAME - Delaney Radiology

At a time when there are an endless amount of options regarding medical care, it can be hard to know what is available to you and what the best choice is. MRIs are no exception. MRI units come in various shapes and sizes, including closed-bore, wide-bore, and open designs, and have different magnet strengths. Some are mobile units; others are fixed units. Each type of unit is unique in its own right and has its benefits. Their uniqueness means that some exams are best completed on certain kinds better than others. Delaney Radiology is fortunate to have multiple options. We are the first and only in Southeastern North Carolina to offer a fixed 3T wide-bore unit in addition to a mobile, 1.5T closed-bore unit. Several factors contribute to determining the best MRI unit and test for your exam. That’s why, at Delaney Radiology, we take the guesswork out of it for you. Where it is always essential to research on your own and do your due diligence, our knowledgeable staff reviews your exam plan to ensure it is tailored to your needs. To make it easier, we have spelled it out for you in an easy-to-understand FAQ, specifically tailored for you!

FAQ For The Layman Crew

What is MRI? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a machine that uses strong magnets to take detailed pictures of the body. These images help doctors see details inside the body that differ from other Radiology scans (X-Rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds).

What is 3T MRI? The “T” used in describing MRI systems refers to the strength of the magnetic field. The “T” is short for Tesla, a unit describing magnet strength. Most medical MRI systems are either 1.5T or 3T. Some open or mobile MRI systems may have lower strength than 1.5T. For comparison, a small bar magnet has a strength of 0.01T. Strong magnets are necessary to create the detailed images in MRI.

What is the benefit of 3T MRI? 3T MRI (3Tesla MRI) shares many of the same benefits of 1.5T MRI. The detailed images from MRI can answer important questions and guide a doctor’s care for you. In general, MRI uses no radiation like X-Rays and CT scans. In many instances, 1.5T and 3T imaging are comparable for your medical care.

The higher strength of a 3T magnet does provide some additional benefits compared to weaker magnets. Specifically, higher detailed imaging is possible that may be harder to see with a 1.5T MRI. Small organs (such as the prostate gland) and small structures (such as ligaments or tendons in the hand) are better seen with a 3T system than others.

Because of the nature of how MRI images are made, patients have to lie still for long periods of time to get high quality pictures. 3T MRI has the benefit of cutting down scan times compared to other weaker magnets. Additionally, 3T MRI often has a wider tube (like the Delaney 3T MRI system), which can provide a better imaging experience, especially for larger patients and patients with claustrophobia. “Open MRI” systems do exist for these patients as well; however, those are usually weaker magnets with lower image quality compared to a “closed MRI”.

What is the added cost of 3T MRI? Insurance companies do not distinguish 3T MRI from other MRIs at the same location. The cost is the same to you for all the extra details 3T MRI images provide.

Shouldn’t everyone get a 3T MRI? 1.5T MRI is still considered standard of care to answer many medical care questions. 3T MRI has many benefits but it is not for everyone.

Patients with certain medical devices or surgical implants (joint replacements, screws, clips) may be safely imaged at 1.5T but not necessarily in the stronger 3T MRI. Rest assured, our capable staff at Delaney Radiology will review your medical history and tailor your MRI to ensure your safety.

Because of how the images are made, MRIs of certain body parts (like the abdomen – including liver, pancreas, kidneys) can sometimes look better on a 1.5T MRI than a 3T MRI. Our staff will ensure your MRI is performed on the proper magnet to get the best images possible for your care.

FAQ For The Clinical Crew

What is 3T MRI? MRI systems in general use strong magnets to create minor separations in the energy of protons (hydrogen atoms) in the body. Radiofrequency pulses are then used to manipulate those protons and generate images based on their microenvironments. MRI protocols are set up to highlight disease states. For example, one set of MRI images may have water protons appear white on the image and another set of MRI images may have water appear dark on the image. IV contrast is often given to provide additional details on disease states.

What is the benefit of 3T MRI? In general, 3T MRI provides better imaging options than lower strength magnets. The added strength of the 3T magnet can be leveraged to provide thinner cut (1mm) images with high level detail or generate image quality similar to a 1.5T system in less time. Optimization of one or both of the above factors is patient-specific and disease-specific.

3T MRI provides an incremental benefit in most indications for MRI. It is specifically recommended by certain medical societies (i.e. PI-RADS ACR guidelines recommend 3T MRI for prostate cancer). 3T can provide higher quality imaging of small structures such as ligaments, tendons, cranial nerves, and small blood vessels (MR Angiogram).

The larger bore 3T MRI tube used at Delaney means a better patient experience with less risk of claustrophobia and potentially less need for sedating drugs. Larger patients will feel more comfortable in the wider tube system without having to sacrifice image quality on a lower strength (open) MRI.

Can I specifically order a 3T MRI? 1.5T is still standard of care for many disease states, but we will attempt to accommodate specific requests for 3T MRI. Our Subspecialty-trained Radiologists have developed a triaging system for “appropriate for 1.5T”, “should be 3T”, etc. That being said, there are certain instances when 3T MRI is not feasible or even safe.

Patients with certain medical devices or surgical implants (joint replacements, screws, clips) may be safely imaged at 1.5T but not necessarily in the stronger 3T MRI. Our technical staff will gather details on device and patient histories to make certain your patients can be safely imaged at one system or the other.

Because of how the images are made, MRIs of certain body parts (like the abdomen – including liver, pancreas, kidneys) can look better on a 1.5T MRI than a 3T MRI. This is especially noticeable in obese patients or patients with ascites.

For the above reasons, we ask that you would allow us to triage patients to our 1.5T system or 3T system based on established technical and medical reasoning. If you believe a patient class is being incorrectly imaged at 1.5T, we ask that you engage with our Subspecialty-trained Radiologists to ensure our triaging is up to date with your respective society’s guidelines.