Children's Hospital Opens Operative, Diagnostic MRI Suite

April 6, 2010 - To optimize the use of its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, Nationwide Children's Hospital is unveiling a new combined operative and diagnostic MRI suite.

This unfixed MRI system can move between three different rooms, allowing physicians to utilize the machine for intraoperative MRI diagnostics and non-operative diagnostic imaging. One of a few MRI's in the U.S. to be used this three-room design, the set up includes a central room for housing the magnet and two adjoining rooms, into which the magnet can be transported.

The intraoperative MRI allows neurosurgeons to scan for the presence of a remaining tumor during a tumor-removal operation, reducing the chance of leaving a portion of tumor. In addition, the MRI suite is located near the operating room, which increases access for the anesthesia team as anesthesia is required for a pediatric patient undergoing an MRI scan.

According to the hospital, due to the close proximity of the MRI to the operating room, the number of patients who can be seen during an eight-hour period is doubled and this additional system will increase volume capacity by 20 percent. The hospitals expects both radiology and neurosurgery patients to benefit from this combined MRI suite.

For more information: www.nationwidechildrens.org