If you sustain an injury or develop a medical condition, your physician may order a digital imaging scan to see your internal structures and make an accurate diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is an everyday scan, but using a 3T model may be best for more detailed MRI scans. What is a 3T MRI?
City Wide Radiology is a trusted provider of 3T MRIs in Brooklyn, NY. Our comprehensive imaging tests are essential in facilitating accurate diagnoses for countless conditions. Below, we outline everything you should know about this high-resolution MRI method and its uses.
How Magnetic Resonance Imaging Works
An MRI creates a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce clear images of the body’s blood vessels, spine, brain, and other tissues and organs. One routine test can generate hundreds or thousands of pictures that create a three-dimensional view of the scanned body part.
Teslas are the unit of measurement used to determine the strength of an MRI’s magnetic field. Standard scanners have 1.5 Teslas. Despite the use of powerful magnets, these tests are safe because they’re noninvasive and won’t expose patients to radiation.
The Difference Between Standard MRIs and 3T MRIs
A review in Cureus claims that in the United States alone, roughly 40 million people get MRI scans each year. A reviewed article in News Medical Life Sciences claims that the magnetic field that 3T MRIs generate is twice as strong as standard imaging equipment and up to 15 times stronger than open MRI machines.
The stronger magnetic field leads to more detailed MRI scans, allowing for faster, more accurate diagnoses. It’s ideal for helping doctors visualize organs and soft tissues to make an accurate diagnosis.
The Benefits of 3T Imaging
Why would patients need a 3 Tesla MRI instead of a standard test? Reasons may include the following:
Faster MRI Scans
The powerful magnet in 3T scanners can make these MRI scanners work up to 100 times faster than regular magnetic resonance imaging. However, the enhanced testing speed doesn’t compromise the quality of the results. The advanced technology can also take lightning-fast images without you needing to hold your breath, which can prolong the procedure.
Improved Patient Comfort
Many 3 Tesla MRI machines have wider openings than standard scanners. The size increase increases patient comfort, especially for those who are claustrophobic. Relaxing in a standard scanner could be incredibly troubling for people with that condition because the machines are enclosed.
Even if you aren’t claustrophobic, you could still be uncomfortable in regular MRIs if you have certain anatomical challenges. You may also enter the scanner feet first, which can help with comfort.
Accurate Diagnoses
Since these advanced scans produce clearer images of smaller or denser body parts that other digital imaging testing can’t see, technicians can provide more accurate test analyses. That means doctors have a greater chance of accurately and quickly diagnosing patients and creating effective treatment plans.
How the MRI Process Works
In most cases, people go to outpatient clinics to undergo the imaging tests their doctors order. When it’s time for your scan, a technician will ask you to remove anything metallic on your body in case you forgot to do so as part of your testing instructions. Once you are free of metal and other items that could affect the quality of your scan, the technician will tell you to lie back on the 3T MRI’s movable table.
Depending on the body part that needs the scan, the technician might fit an MRI coil near the target area. Examples include:
- Head coils
- Cervical spine coils
- Knee coils
- Foot and ankle coils
- Torsor speeder coils
- Breast frame coils
These components help the equipment produce high-quality, detailed images of bones, tissues, and organs via radio waves.
According to Inside Radiology, about one in three patients need a gadolinium contrast medium to improve the clarity of MRI images of internal structures and conditions, including blood vessels, some organs, and inflammation. It works by brightening certain areas and structures on images that even a powerful magnetic resonance imaging machine might not see without the extra help.
You could take the contrast material orally or through an IV. The method depends on what the technicians are imaging. For instance, you might have to swallow barium for technicians to visualize your upper gastrointestinal tract. Common side effects of contrast include a metallic taste in your mouth or a warm sensation flushing your body.
Experience the Power of Stronger MRI Magnets at City Wide Radiology
If you need reliable imaging to diagnose a medical condition or assess treatment, you can get what you need at City Wide Radiology. We utilize state-of-the-art digital technology, such as 3T MRIs, to serve patients in Brooklyn, NY. Our courteous and compassionate technicians are board-certified and committed to providing the most accurate imaging results.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Review our guide to MRI scan types, then call (718) 236-6800 to schedule an appointment. Same-day appointments may be available.
MRI Frequently Asked Questions
Still need more information about magnetic resonance imaging? Read these frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers below.
Why Can’t I Drink Water Before an Imaging Test?
It’s best not to eat or drink before an MRI because anything you swallow can cause the digestive tract to contract, resulting in poor-quality images. Technicians typically request that patients abstain from drinking and eating before getting scans of their abdomen or pelvis.
Does a Stronger MRI Magnet Create Better Images?
Stronger MRI magnets generate faster scans with better image quality, so 3T MRIs are superior to standard tests.
Why Do I Feel Dizzy After a Scan?
Sometimes, the equipment’s magnetic field makes people feel dizzy or off-balance after a scan. A reaction to injected contrast material could also cause this sensation.
How Should I Prepare for a 3T MRI?
To prepare for a 3T MRI, you should avoid eating for two hours before your appointment time. You should also avoid wearing metal and jewelry, hair products, and makeup if the scan is of your head.
