St. Joseph’s/Candler now provides a vastly more comfortable MRI experience for patients that also creates better images for doctors to provide a diagnosis.

The 3T MRI can only be found at St. Joseph’s/Candler. It is double the power of a traditional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine. Because it is more powerful, the opening for the patient has been built larger a more pleasant experience.

More Comfort

“Before, the strength of the magnet limited how large the machine’s internal diameter could be,” said Radiologist Robert K. Myers, M.D. “You needed to be close to the patient to get a better quality study. With 3T strength, the opening is wider. This is much better for patients suffering from claustrophobia or obesity.”

Patients can even enter feet first.

The new 3T magnet was also designed to reduce the loud pinging noise that is heard during its operation. The noise—sometimes matching the decibel level of a jackhammer—can make it harder for the MRI technologist and the patient to communicate, and can raise patient anxiety. 

Better Vision

The greater detail and increased resolution from the 3T magnet has had clear benefits for physicians. Higher image quality leads to better diagnoses. The magnet also has a lower risk of distorted images, lessening the need for repeat scans.

This new system delivers uncompromised imaging for different specialties, including neurology, orthopedics, oncology and cardiovascular.

But it can also see things the older MRIs could not, such as:

- Better ability to see multiple sclerosis lesions

- Improved sensitivity for liver cancer

- Better evaluation of prostate cancer

- More definitive diagnosis for neurological disorders.

MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The technology uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio waves to create images of organs and other structures in the body, including the brain, spine, chest, blood vessels, bones and joints, and more. The strength of the magnetic field is measured in units of Tesla (T), and the standard strength for an MRI magnet is 1.5T.

For more information, visit www.sjchs.org/3Tmri.