Have you ever had an open MRI?
 

Was it very different from the closed MRI?
Did you still had to go through a tube?
I would love to hear from you. thanks

Open MRI and head injury
 

Except in the case of a very severe head injury, an open MRI is of very little value in diagnosing a brain injury. The resolution of Open MRI is much less than Closed MRI. Depending on the power of the Closed MRI, they can usually see something about 1 millimeter in size, Open MRI can only see three or more millimeter sized objects.
Open MRI is used more for looking for tumors or aneurysms .

There is a procedure I use to help with the claustrophobia when undergoing a Closed MRI. I prepare myself by getting in a relaxed but snug position before the bed moves into the tunnel. I also close my eyes. If I keep my arms tight to my body so that they never touch the sides of the tunnel, I can imagine that I am not in a tight space. It is important for me to NOT let my arms touch the sides. If I do, I have to start all over again. It can take a while to convince my mind that I am not in a small space.

This can be done. Long before the day of the MRI, practice lying still and straight with your arms snug against your body. If you can, have someone tuck a soft blanket around you and try to fall asleep. Once you have mastered this relaxation in the "cocoon" as my wife calls it, you will be ready for the small space of the MRI.

I've had 2 closed MRI's in 2 years. Both showed damage to the back of my head...
Sometimes your doctor will prescribe valium (sp?) I didn't opt for that though. I closed my eyes and made music rhythm out of the banging....and you know it does have a rhythm to it! It's not all that bad...I found that not opening my eyes and not focusing on the tube I did pretty well. I was tired when I got through with both and did have someone to drive me....

Talk with your doctor if you are unsure of how you will 'handle' being in the tube. Doctors are very understanding of the anxiety of it.

Melek

Closed MRI
 

The technician usually has foam earplugs for you. Use them. Twist them up tight then insert them. The yellow foam ear plugs work best.
Open MRI is a sidewards U or such. It is a much larger opening often used for large people. As I said, it is not as good.
I would consider it a risk of being a waste of time. There is a risk of a false negative due to the poor resolution.

There is a new HIGH Field Open MRI that can do a good job. See this link: http://www3.americanradiology.com/pl...rticle_id_in=5

Ask about the difference. Closed MRI is usually 1.5 Tesla. Open can be as low as 0.2 Tesla. Hitachi makes a 1.2 Tesla Open MRI. With either one, they will need to put a image signal receiving cage over your head. It is open enough that you should not have a problem with it.