Advances in Imaging Technology
Medical imaging technology is an ever-changing field — vast improvements are constantly being made to allow scans that are clearer and give more precise information. Some people who have had a "traditional" earlier MRI scan felt claustrophobic, and the scans have even caused some to panic when going into the small, confined space. Many simply could not fit into the small area. That has changed with the continued development of a wide-bore MRI scanner that delivers high-quality scans without confinement.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses radio frequency and a magnetic field to create detailed digital images of organs and tissues. MRI is used to diagnose a wide variety of conditions in all areas of the body. MRIs reveal delicate structures in the spinal cord, the head and brain, the soft tissues around and in joints, and many other organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver.
Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine called medical imaging one of the most important medical developments of the past 1,000 years — ranking with such milestones as the discovery of anesthesia and the discovery of antibiotics.
There has been further refinement of this technology and the scanner itself. The latest upgrade addressed a long-time concern of some patients with claustrophobia or the inability of larger persons to fit into the scanner.
Wide-bore MRI scanners offer more open space and comfort than traditional MRI scanners. This new technology offers extra-wide openings, clear and accurate images, and more precise diagnoses.
Being claustrophobic (fear of enclosed or confined spaces) or having large or broad frames, which includes many athletes, used to be a major obstacle for many facing this valuable, noninvasive procedure.
Before wide-bore technology, claustrophobic patients or those too large to fit inside the opening would have their imaging exam performed in an MRI system that used low-field strength magnets and, therefore, received lower quality images.
The benefits of wide-bore MRI scanners include:
• Nearly a half-foot more space in diameter, providing room for lying on your side or raising your knees
• A shorter bore so less anatomy is in the machine
• Accommodation of larger people and those with claustrophobia
• Breathing room, providing a more relaxing experience
• The same advanced technology and exceptionally clear imaging results as smaller-area MRI scanners
• Accurate, high-resolution images that can lead to a more precise diagnosis
Imaging technology dates back to the discovery of X-rays in the late 1800s. Before then, diagnosis for many ailments depended largely upon surgery.
The 1970s gave rise to the rapid growth and development of imaging technology. Today, medical images of the human body are taken in many different and sophisticated ways.
An overview of the latest technology shows a variety of functions that would not exist today without the groundwork laid by the X-ray.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is a non-invasive procedure that provides detailed imaging of blood vessels.
In addition to MRI and MRA, other descendants of the X-ray are enhancing diagnoses and certain cancer treatments with phenomenal success.
Digital mammography uses low-dose radiation and computer technology to create images of the breast. The results can be easily shared between medical facilities as they are stored on and transferred via computers.
Computed Tomography, also referred to as a CT or CAT scan, uses special X-ray technology to create computer-generated digital images of the body's tissues and organs. CT scans can be used to diagnose injuries, find structural abnormalities in certain tissues and confirm the presence and/or types of tumors.
Nuclear medicine images are created by the movement of a radioactive substance given by mouth or IV as it moves through the body. Nuclear medicine can be used to analyze kidney function, determine whether cancer has spread and evaluate blood flow problems in the heart.
Diagnostic imaging, also referred to as X-ray technology, provides a variety of imaging procedures: chest, abdomen, skull, spine, pelvis, upper and lower extremities, etc.
Bone densitometry is a quick, painless method of evaluating bone loss. It is used to diagnose this condition and predict the risk of bone fractures due to osteoporosis.
Vascular ultrasound is a painless method of identifying blood flow problems. It uses ultrasound technology to create real-time images of the body's circulatory system. It can detect blockages, plaque and other obstructions within the circulatory system.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time imaging. These images provide visualization of the movement of internal organs and blood flow.
Thus, a late-nineteenth-century discovery is the ancestor of truly modern medicine as we know it today. It led to the development of numerous procedures, instruments and specialties that exist because it opened a new frontier of diagnostic abilities.
For more information about Village Hospital Imaging Services, please call 864-849-9270, or visit villageatpelham.com.