Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The Department of Medical Imaging has two state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI clinical scanners and one state-of-the-art 3.0 Tesla scanner. These scanners allow radiologists in the Body Division to perform exams faster than has been previously possible, with streamlined protocols and automated technology that assures uniform, reproducible image quality for all patients. The ability to perform whole body imaging has allowed MRI to replace CT for a majority of cancer diagnosis and staging, which provides a more accurate diagnosis without the use of ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast. This technology has allowed for a reduction in the need for invasive tissue sampling, streamlining clinical care decision making for physicians and patients. The innovative use of this technology for patients that present to the emergency room with abdominopelvic pain or shortness of breath has reduced the radiation exposure for young patients presenting to the Banner University Medical Center emergency rooms, allowing rapid and accurate imaging diagnostics without radiation or iodinated contrast administration.