Specialty Open MRI - for greater accuracy and better outcome

At Cayman Medical, we proudly offer specialty open MRI services designed to accommodate patients of all ages, income levels, and social tiers. Our approach focuses on ensuring the utmost comfort, providing top-tier image quality, and delivering timely, reliable results. Our open MRI solutions are particularly well-suited for children, helping them remain calm and at ease during the scanning process.

Our open MRI scanner ensures patient comfort and high-quality imaging - for greater accuracy and better outcome.

Index

• What is a Specialty MRI?
• Open MRI vs. Closed MRI
• Benefits of a Specialty MRI
• Dynamic, Weight-Bearing, and In-Motion Imaging
• Image Quality Comparable to 1.5T and 3T with No Need for Anesthesia
• Patient Comfort and Accessibility
• Applications of Specialty MRI
• Scheduling and Results

What is a Specialty MRI?

At Cayman Medical, our Specialty MRI represents a significant advancement in magnetic resonance imaging, going well beyond the limitations of traditional methods that only capture images with patients lying flat and still. Unlike standard closed MRI systems, which require remaining motionless inside a tight, enclosed space, our open MRI technology features a more patient-friendly design that accommodates a variety of positions, including weight-bearing and motion-based imaging.

This dynamic imaging approach allows us to visualize your body in positions and under conditions that may more closely resemble when your symptoms typically occur. As a result, our radiologists can gather more precise diagnostic information, reduce the risk of underdiagnosis, and help ensure you receive the most effective treatment, ultimately improving your long-term health and well-being.

The open and comfortable setting also makes this approach more suitable for patients of all ages - particularly children and those who experience discomfort or anxiety in confined spaces. By prioritizing patient comfort without compromising diagnostic quality, our Specialty MRI helps us provide a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of your health.

Open MRI vs. Closed MRI

The conventional closed MRI employs a cylindrical magnet, requiring patients to lie within a narrow tunnel. This setup often leads to feelings of claustrophobia, anxiety, and discomfort. Larger individuals, children, or patients who find it hard to remain still may struggle with closed MRIs. In contrast, our open MRI system features a more open design, significantly reducing these challenges.

By minimizing confinement, our open MRI offers a more accommodating environment. Patients can be positioned with ease, and parents, loved ones or caregivers can stay close by. This approach not only alleviates anxiety but also reduces the need for sedation, making it particularly appealing for pediatric cases and those with special needs.

Benefits of Specialty MRI

At Cayman Medical, our specialty MRI services bring multiple advantages to patients and healthcare providers:

Improved Patient Comfort

Open MRI technology removes the feeling of being trapped, easing the stress and anxiety patients often experience during imaging. This leads to a more positive experience and better cooperation from the patient, ultimately improving image quality.

Reduced Anxiety and Claustrophobia

The open design is particularly helpful for individuals who are prone to claustrophobia or anxiety. Patients who have previously avoided MRI scans due to fear can now undergo the procedure more comfortably.

Better Patient Positioning

With the freedom to adjust the patient's position, the open MRI can capture images in ways that reflect how the body functions in everyday life. This flexibility can help identify conditions that might remain undetected in traditional, static scanning positions.

Dynamic, Weight-Bearing, and In-Motion Imaging

One of the key differentiators of specialty MRI is the ability to scan patients in positions that mimic daily activities or natural postures. Instead of lying flat and motionless, patients can stand, bend, or sit as needed to reproduce the stresses that joints and spine undergo during normal movement. By visualizing the body in these functional states, physicians can identify issues that remain hidden in conventional supine scans.

Dynamic imaging allows for assessing musculoskeletal structures under load, weight-bearing conditions, and even in-motion imaging of joints and spine segments. This approach is invaluable for diagnosing complex spinal problems, joint instability, and other conditions that static imaging might miss. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pathology, leading to tailored and more effective treatment strategies.

Weight-bearing study of the lumbar spine shows disc herniations that worsen under weight-bearing load.

Dynamic flexion and extension study of the cervical spine shows ligamentum flavum compression on the spinal cord (left image).

Image Quality Comparable to 1.5T and 3T with No Need for Anesthesia

While some patients assume that open MRI technology might compromise image quality and diagnostic value, this is not the case at Cayman Medical. Our specialty MRI delivers image quality with diagnostic value that is comparable to 1.5T and even 3T closed MRI scanners, ensuring that physicians receive the diagnostic clarity they need. This means patients benefit from a comfortable, open-environment MRI experience without sacrificing image resolution or detail.

Same patient - scanned first in a high field scanner (right) and then with our open MRI scanner (left)

Additionally, because of the open design and the reduced anxiety and discomfort it brings, patients often remain still without the need for anesthesia or sedation. This is especially beneficial for children, who can undergo imaging more naturally and with greater cooperation, further enhancing the clarity and usefulness of the resulting images.

Patient Comfort and Accessibility

The open MRI environment ensures a more positive patient experience. This comfort is not merely a convenience; it can significantly influence the quality of the scan. When patients are relaxed, they are more likely to remain still, which translates to clearer, more accurate images. Parents can stay close to their children, offering reassurance throughout the procedure. Patients with physical limitations, larger body types, or special positioning needs will find the open MRI far easier to tolerate, broadening access to critical diagnostic imaging.

Applications of Specialty MRI

Specialty MRI is immensely valuable for diagnosing musculoskeletal and spine conditions. By capturing images while the patient's body is in positions that closely resemble real-life situations, physicians can better understand the source of pain, instability, or dysfunction.

Spine Conditions

Disorders such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease may be more accurately assessed when the spine is bearing weight or in motion. This dynamic approach can reveal subtle changes that static imaging might miss.

Joint Evaluations

For joint-related issues - such as knee, hip, shoulder, or ankle injuries - imaging in a weight-bearing or functional position can expose abnormalities, misalignments, or mechanical problems that might be underdetected in static imaging. This insight leads to better-targeted treatments and rehabilitation plans.

Scheduling and Results

When you choose Cayman Medical for your specialty MRI, you can expect prompt, professional, and patient-focused care. Our staff will guide you through the scheduling process, ensuring that your experience is as convenient as possible. Once your scan is complete, we swiftly provide results to your referring physician, allowing for rapid treatment recommendations and a smoother path to recovery.

For more information on specialty MRI services in the Cayman Islands or to schedule an appointment, call 623-1000 or Text/WhatsApp us at 326-1000