Salem Radiologists at Salem Regional Medical Center

3T Open MRI

Call Us with Questions:  330-337-6140

Click to Read More: Patient Brochure  Salem News Article  MD News Article  3T MRI Presentation (4MB)  Siemens' 3T Skyra Documents

Click for Additional 3T MRI Information: Breast  Spine  Shoulder/Knees/Joints  Brain  Body/Liver/Prostate 
 

3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3T MRI) is the newest and most advanced imaging technology available. Because 3T MRI is twice as strong as older MRIs, it provides twice the speed/twice the detail which produces stunning image quality allowing for more accurate diagnoses of medical conditions at their earliest and potentially curable stages.

Salem Regional Medical Center is proud to have the only 3T MRI between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The 3T Open MRI has a large 86-inch circumference and is able to accommodate claustrophobic patients and patients up to 550 pounds.

WHAT CAN IT DO?

• Newest 3T MRI technology for brain, spine, body, extremity, and breast imaging:

• Early stroke and pre-stroke brain imaging.

• MR imaging of metallic hardware.

• Newest liver imaging techniques for fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis with quantification of inflammation & fibrosis.

• Advanced MR imaging of kidneys and renal arteries even with renal failure.

• 3D MR Angiography of blood vessels without gadolinium contrast.

• Cartilage imaging with detailed images of menisci, ligaments, and tendons.

AVAILABLE IN JULY:

• 3T Breast MRI with latest 3D computer aided diagnosis (CAD) techniques including MR-guided biopsies.

• 3T Prostate imaging without an endorectal coil and ability to perform MR-guided biopsies.

3 Tesla MRI - BENEFITS:

• Twice the Strength of traditional 1.5T MRI scanners.

• Twice the Speed for fastest MRI available.

• Twice the Detail for stunning imaging quality.

• Latest technology for brain, spine, body, extremity, and breast imaging.

• Large 86” circumference opening for claustrophobics and large patients up to 550 lbs.

• Most studies performed with head outside of MRI opening. Head or feet-first imaging.

• Spacious room with large windows, special lighting, and satellite music to provide a relaxing environment.

• Motion artifact compensation.

• Advanced MRI Imaging of metallic implants in the body, spine, and joints.

• Improved MR blood vessel imaging without contrast for patients with poor kidney function.

3T MRI – How it works:

• Older MRI scanners were 0.3T, 0.5T, 1.0T, and 1.5T in strength. The higher magnetic strength allows for better image quality. 3T MRI is twice the strength of older scanners which can provide twice the speed for the fastest MRI imaging available and twice the detail for stunning imaging quality.

• Magnetic strength is measured in Tesla’s which are tens-of-thousands times stronger than earth’s magnetic force. It is named after Nikola Tesla who is known best for championing Alternating Current (AC) against Thomas Edison’s Direct Current (DC) to power America at the turn of the 20th century.

• MRI uses a superconducting magnet which generates a strong magnetic field using liquid Helium at a temperature of -270 Kelvin, near absolute zero, and a special wire with no resistance at that temperature. Similar to wrapping a wire around a nail, an MRI generates the tremendous magnetic field as long as the temperature remains cool.

• MRI magnetizes the body and uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to distinguish hydrogen attached to water from fat molecules. No ionizing radiation is used unlike traditional x-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging.

• Why does the MRI bang when in use? Rapidly switching magnetic coils are activated during scanning which produces the characteristic clacking sounds. The newest 3T MRIs have noise reduction headphones and satellite radio for listening comfort.