CENTRALIA — A new sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine is in place and serving the patients at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Centralia now has the Largest Bore (70cm) MRI in the area.

“The 1.5 Tesla will improve care at the hospital and in this community. By offering state-of-the-art technology to the region we offer cutting-edge imaging for orthopedic, cancer, neurosciences and women’s health patients,” statesTimothy Carmody, MD, a radiologist who is reading from the images produced by the new MRI machine

This new, state-of-the-art, Siemens Aera Wide Bore Magnet, MRI, is advantageous in many ways:

• it offers a faster exam with excellent image quality which means fewer repeat scans during the examination;

• the wide and ultra short bore allows more room for patients and therefore a more comfortable and a less ‘closed in’ feeling during the scan;

• the exam bed and increased bore size allows for larger patients, the MRI can accommodate individuals up to 550 pounds;

• claustrophobic patients will have the option to go into the magnet feet first (if the exam allows), which helps ease any ‘closed in’ feelings, and some exams actually have the patients head outside of the bore, and;

• breast MRI scans can be performed with this new equipment – Merrilee Brandt, MD, a local surgeon, is the largest referring physician for Breast MRI, and now patients will not have to travel out of the immediate area for this diagnostic exam.

“The scan resolution platform improves imaging resolution and anatomic detail, which allows for greater diagnostic accuracy, which in turn improves our management of patients,” adds Dr. Carmody.

With so many advantages of the new state-of-the-art equipment, Michael Bratcher, Director of Imaging at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, anticipates the volumes of MRI scans to increase in 2018