GP Guide to Open MRI Scanning
Claustrophobic Patients
Body Parts that require a head first
entry to scanner and which
claustrophobic patients may not be
able to tolerate
Body parts taking the patient in feet
first on the normal scanners, which
claustrophobic patients normally
tolerate.
Head
IAMS
C Spine
T Spine
L Spine
Shoulder
Upper Abdomen
L Spine (can be done feet first on
some scanners, please discuss with
Clinical Triage)
Hips
Knees/Legs
Feet/ankles
Soft tissue and bony pelvis
Weight and size limitations
Scanner
Conventional 1.5T Scanners
(Bore diameter 23.5” – 60cm) Please
ensure patients are able to fit into the
scanner
Conventional “wide bore” 1.5T
Scanners
(Bore diameter 27.5” 70cm. Available
at Stratford & Hornchurch,
Croydon Open Scanner *
Table Limit
21 stone
135kg
28 stone
180kg
47 stone
300kg
* The open scanner is not available under the Newham/Tower Hamlets/Waltham Forest MRI
contract. Please follow your CCG IFR protocol before making a referral.
Contact Numbers
InHealth Clinical Triage for
advice
Referrer Line – General Enquires
Patient Booking Line
0333 202 3184
0333 202 0297
0333 202 0300