A state-of-the-art wide-bore MRI scanner suitable for people who have difficulties in confined spaces was lifted by crane into a Limerick hospital yesterday.
The 1.5 tonne scanner, which represents a €1.2 million investment, was installed at Barringtons Hospital and is the first of its kind in the midwest region. This type of scanning is used to detect a wide variety of medical conditions including the diagnosis of neurological and muscular-skeletal issues – particularly in soft tissue areas such as the nerves, muscles, ligaments, joints, brain and liver – as well as cardiac issues.
Barringtons MRI managing director Malcolm Banks said: “From the middle of November, patients will be able to avail of the many advantages of this scanner which is state of the art, and is the most recent generation in 1.5 tonne scanners. For instance, it has a much wider opening therefore giving patients attending the centre a more comfortable MRI experience. It will also allow people who are too big for conventional scanners to avail of this essential diagnostic imaging tool.
“The new scanner certainly makes the service more accessible to those who suffer from claustrophobia and those who are overweight or obese. We also wanted to address the cardiac MRI market, as MRIs are increasingly being used to diagnose certain forms of heart disease.”