If you can't lie flat for an MRI, you have great options like open MRI machines, including upright or standing MRIs, that allow you to sit, stand, or be positioned differently, offering comfort for claustrophobia or physical limitations, plus techniques like deep breathing, sedation, or eye masks can help you stay still and relaxed.
Patients can be positioned in several different ways.
The Upright MRI is the only MRI scanner that can image patients in any position, whether it's sitting, standing, bending or lying down. This allows it to image any part of the body. All other MRIs can only scan patients while laying down.
For some patients - for example those with restricted mobility, who are overweight, or who suffer from claustrophobia - this can be difficult or uncomfortable. Open MRI provides a stress-free, relaxing alternative compared to the traditional MRI scanner.
An MRI typically requires patients to lie flat on a table that is inserted into a tube in the machine. As a result, some patients experience feelings of claustrophobia or anxiety, and others may have difficulty getting into a traditional MRI machine and lying still for the duration of the scan.
Stand-up MRI Offers a More Comprehensive Diagnosis
A stand-up MRI will detect the cause of symptoms in position (standing, in this situation) causing you to feel pain. Stand-up MRI can improve surgical outcomes in patients due to its ability to identify pain-causing areas.
You must lie very still during the scan. If you move, the MRI scan pictures may not be clear. Your primary care physician may order you a mild sedative if you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed spaces), have a hard time staying still, or have chronic pain.
Open MRI is ideal for patients with concerns about whether or not they will fit inside the machine. Nobody likes the embarrassing feeling of bravely showing up for an MRI exam only to be turned away because their physical size made it impossible for them to pass through the machine.
Increased movement can result in the images being blurred or of poorer quality but being in an enclosed space can cause some people to become stressed, and in some more extreme cases, cause panic attacks.
Tips for Staying Calm and Managing Claustrophobia During an MRI
At certain times during the scan you will be able to listen to music and close your eyes, while other times we need to turn the music off and have you open your eyes. You may also be given a box with buttons before entering the MRI.
You will meet the anesthesiologist and they will obtain your consent for anesthesia prior to the MRI. They will explain possible complications and side effects.
An MRI scanner is a short cylinder that's open at both ends. You'll lie on a flat motorised bed that moves inside the scanner. In some cases, a frame may be placed over the body part being scanned, like the head or chest. This frame contains receivers that pick up the signals sent out by your body during the scan.
Pros of Open MRIs
They are less enclosed than a closed MRI: An open MRI system doesn't cause the same level of claustrophobia and anxiety as a closed MRI system, since the unit doesn't fully encase your body. The system can accommodate you much more comfortably, no matter what size you are.
You can wear your regular underwear under your gown during your scan, unless your underwear contains metal (e.g., a bra with an underwire or clasp). Because the MRI machine uses magnets, any metal on your body during the scan can disrupt the results. This also means you should remove all jewelry before your scan.
Proper preparation ensures that the MRI images are clear and free from distortions. Eating or drinking before certain types of MRIs can introduce variables, such as movement in the gastrointestinal tract or the presence of fluids, that may compromise the scan's accuracy.
Be aware of when you start to feel twitchy or uncomfortable, be on the lookout for it so you can tackle it head on before it takes over. Smile, breathe and tell yourself: You are in complete control. If you needed to, you could be out of the scanner within seconds.
You will be required to lie completely still during the MRI exam. Depending on the body part being imaged, you may be instructed to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds at a time.
For patients who may experience claustrophobia during an MRI scan and require prophylaxis, the University of Wisconsin Department of Radiology suggests the use of Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta), a short-to-intermediate duration benzodiazepine.
Typically, MRIs under anesthesia are performed under sedation, although sometimes they are performed under general anesthesia. Sedation is characterized as being in a state between relaxed and very sleepy, but not quite unconscious. Most people do not remember anything during the MRI.
You will lie on a scan table that slides into a large circular opening of the scanning machine. Pillows and straps may be used to prevent movement during the procedure.
The only drawback of the closed MRI scanning machine is its enclosed, tube-like design. If a patient goes into the machine head first, there might be only a few inches between their face and the machine's interior. This can induce anxiety in patients, especially those who are claustrophobic.
Because of this, despite its benefits, the MRI experience can cause distress for some patients. Common fears include: Claustrophobia: Feeling confined in a narrow tube with little visibility. Loud machine noises: The banging and knocking sounds from the machine can be startling and stressful.
A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI.