Nishant Gupta1, Ian Karol2,3, Yogesh Kumar3,4, Brian Rapillo2, Neetu Soni5, Daichi Hayashi3,6. 1. Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 W 168th Street, New York, NY, USA. drngupta20@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiology, Advanced Radiology Consultants, Shelton, CT, USA. 3. Department of Radiology, Yale New Haven Health at Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT, USA. 4. Department of Radiology, Columbia University at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, USA. 5. Department of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. 6. Department of Radiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: It is challenging to image extremely obese and claustrophobic patients using a standard, non-open, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. On the other hand, installing an additional upright or open MRI scanner may not be cost-effective for most practices. Our technique with a patient in a sitting or standing position behind the standard MRI scanner may be helpful in the MR examination of the wrist/elbow in these patients using a standard wrist/elbow coil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed wrist and elbow MRI of extremely obese and claustrophobic patients by using our modified technique with the patient sitting or standing outside the standard non-open MRI scanner. A total number of 20 cases with the following diagnosis were examined: triquetral and scaphoid bone contusions and fractures, scapholunate ligament tears, triangular fibrocartilage complex tear, and biceps tear. RESULTS: Comparison of image quality for diagnostic information between the standard technique and our technique showed no significant difference, which is necessary for making the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique enables wrist and elbow imaging of extremely obese and claustrophobic patients who cannot otherwise be imaged using a standard MRI scanner without compromising the image quality that is essential for making a diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: It is challenging to image extremely obese and claustrophobic patients using a standard, non-open, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. On the other hand, installing an additional upright or open MRI scanner may not be cost-effective for most practices. Our technique with a patient in a sitting or standing position behind the standard MRI scanner may be helpful in the MR examination of the wrist/elbow in these patients using a standard wrist/elbow coil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed wrist and elbow MRI of extremely obese and claustrophobic patients by using our modified technique with the patient sitting or standing outside the standard non-open MRI scanner. A total number of 20 cases with the following diagnosis were examined: triquetral and scaphoid bone contusions and fractures, scapholunate ligament tears, triangular fibrocartilage complex tear, and biceps tear. RESULTS: Comparison of image quality for diagnostic information between the standard technique and our technique showed no significant difference, which is necessary for making the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique enables wrist and elbow imaging of extremely obese and claustrophobic patients who cannot otherwise be imaged using a standard MRI scanner without compromising the image quality that is essential for making a diagnosis.