Upright
Open
MRI
Centres
Weight-bearing and positional imaging for
patients in non-claustrophobic scanners
Upright Open MRI Centres
The Upright Open MRI scanners at the Upright Open MRI Centres in Leeds and London are unique in England.
Using the latest technology and designed specifically to scan patients in weight-bearing positions, the scanners
also bring enormous benefits to claustrophobic and anxious patients thanks to their open design.
Upright Open MRI Centres enable more patients than ever before to benefit from the vital diagnostic imaging that
an Upright Open MRI scan brings. Over 1500 Consultants already refer to Upright Open MRI Centres including the
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH).
Upright Open MRI scans
The revolutionary design of the Upright Open MRI scanner
allows MR imaging of most parts of the body.
It is particularly applicable to the spine, the major joints and
the pelvic floor which can be examined under physiological
conditions, upright in the weight-bearing position.
Patients can be imaged;
• in a sitting position
• in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending
• in their position of pain
• lying down
• standing
The choice between MRI scanners;
conventional, open or upright open MRI?
Conventional tunneli and openii MRI scanners only scan in the
supine, non- weight-bearing position and as a result may not
detect pathology that becomes visible only when the patient
is scanned in an upright position.
Upright Open MRI scanners have clear advantages over
supine imaging and may be used as first line MRI for the
spine or as an adjunct if supine MRI is non-diagnostic.
Upright Open MRI scanners can be used in a variety
of clinical situations (cervical, lumbar spine and other
applications) where conventional or open MRI is unsuitable;
• as a problem-solving modality in those who have had
a negative or unhelpful conventional scan
• in patients with a ‘failed-back’ following previous surgery
• in those whose symptoms are posture-specific
• other joints of the body that are symptomatic in
specific weight-bearing positions
• assessment of pelvic floor and bladder prolapse
Comfortable MRI diagnostics
Patients who might be considered for Upright Open MRI
scans include;
• patients who are claustrophobic or anxious and
unable to tolerate the confines of a conventional scanner
• patients who are larger and who find it difficult to fit
into the constricted space of a conventional scanner
• patients who are unable to lie supine whatever the
reason
• patients who need to be observed during their scan
Neutral / Seated
Spondylolisthesis
Extension / Seated
Lumbar Spine - positional abnnormalities
Upright Open MRI scanning and patient management
In a paper presented to the European Society of Skeletal Radiology (ESSR) in July 2005, Smith and Siddiquiiii reported
twenty-five patients referred for MRI of the lumbar spine for sciatica following at least one prior, “normal” MRI
examination within six months of referral.
• 14 men and 12 women aged between 38 and 67 years of age were scanned using an upright MRI scanner. Each
patient was scanned supine, standing erect and in the seated position. In the seated position, images were made
with the back in neutral, flexed and extended. Sagittal T2 and Axial T2 weighted sections were made through the
lower five intervertebral discs in each position.
• In 12 cases, no significant abnormality was seen in any of the five postures
• In 13 cases, abnormalities were demonstrated in one or more of the seated postures that were not evident
in the conventional supine examination
• In three cases lateral disc herniation was only seen in the seated position
• In six cases the presence of a hypermobile disc at one or more levels was demonstrated
• In two cases a previously unsuspected grade 1 spondylolisthesis was shown and in two cases significant spinal
canal stenosis was seen in the seated extended position
• In 50% (13/25) of these cases that had previously been investigated for sciatica, a surgically remediable lesion
was found
Technology and compliance
Further reading
The Upright Open MRI scanners have been developed to
allow imaging under the influence of gravity. A gap exists
between two vertical electromagnets where a tilting table
is sited that allows seated, standing and supine imaging.
A mid-strength 0.6T horizontal field is generated between
magnets. Image quality is excellent and all studies are
reported by dedicated musculo-skeletal and neuroradiologists. The results of the MRI scan are typically
provided to the healthcare professional within 48 hours.
• Alyas F, Connell D and Saifuddin A. Upright positional MRI of
the lumbar spine. Clinical Radiology. 2008:63(9);1035-1048
• Badami J P, Baker B A and Scholz F J et al. Outpatient
metnizamide myelography; prospective evaluation of safety
and cost-effectiveness. Radiology. 1998:(207);391-398
• Beric V, Imaging the spine with upright MRI. RAD Magazine.
36:(422);21-22
• Jinkins J R, Dworkin J S, Damadian R V. Upright, weight bearing, dynamic-kinetic MRI of the spine; initial results.
European Radiology. 2005:15(9);1815-1825
• Lee S U, Hargens A R, Fredericson M et al. Lumbar spine disc
heights and curvature; upright posture vs supine
compression harness. Aviation, Space & Environmental
Medicine. 2003:(74);512-516
The Upright Open MRI scanners provide a patient
friendly experience. During the scan patients can see the
radiographer at all times, are able to watch TV or a DVD and
can simply walk out once the scan is complete.
Dr. David Grant and Dr. Ben Timmis (Consultant
Radiologists) are Joint Medical Directors of the
Upright Open MRI Centres and hold substantive NHS
appointments
Erect
Seated
Supine
Same patient same day imaging
Seated
Positional imaging erect
Left
Rotation
Rotational imaging 1
Patient referrals
The Upright Open MRI Centres (London and Leeds) are approved by all the major private health insurance providers. NHS
patients and self-funding patients are also welcomed. All patients require a referral from their healthcare professional.
Referrals are welcomed from healthcare professionals including Consultants, Specialists, GPs, Radiology Specialist Managers,
Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Chiropractors.
Guidelines published by the Royal College of Radiology and the Royal College of General Practitioners provide a framework
for appropriate referral for diagnostic services.
Each centre has a dedicated team of specialist reporting Consultant MSK radiologists and neuroradiologists. The importance
of maintaining existing referral relationships is recognised and therefore Upright Open MRI Centres offer the facility of remote
Patient referrals
reporting for a radiologist of your choice.
The Upright Open MRI Centres (London and Leeds) are appro
patients and self-funding patients are also welcomed. All patien
Referrals are welcomed from healthcare professionals including
Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Chiropractors.
Contact details
Guidelines published by the Royal College of Radiology and th
for appropriate referral for diagnostic services.
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London Sanderson Hotel, Wells Mews London, W1T 3NG
or 34-42 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JY
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Julia House, 44 Newman Street, London W1T 1QD
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7637 2888
Fax: +44 (0)207 637 5888
email: [email protected]
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www.uprightmri.co.uk
Julia House, 44 Newman Street, London, W1T 1QD
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7637 2888
Fax: +44 (0)20 7637 5888
email: [email protected]
Tower Court, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2LY
Telephone: +44 (0)113 231 1902
Fax: +44 (0)872 023 3863
email: [email protected]
• By bus: Buses that go through Tottenham Court Road or
Oxford Street (Tottenham Court Road end) are suitable
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The Leeds Upright MRI Centre
By car: Metered parking is available on Newman Street
(the street is one way northbound). NCP car parks are
available at 45-47 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NE or
London Sanderson Hotel, Wells Mews London, W1T 3NG
or 34-42 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 4JY
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i. Conventional MRI scan is designed to scan the patient in the horizontal position in
ii. Open MRI scan is less claustrophobic, typically lower in field strength (0.2T – 0.5T
iii. F.W. Smith, M.D. et al., University of Aberdeen, Scotland. “Positional Upright Imag
Paper presented at the ESSR (2005) Oxford, England. Published in Clinical MRI ,
• By car: Parking is available including disabled spaces.
1.5 miles from Leeds city centre, 0.75 miles from
Armley gyratory, 1.26 miles from Junction 2 of the M61,
0.25 miles from Armley town centre, 6.5 miles from Leeds
Bradford airport, 8 miles from Bradford city centre
• By bus: Buses 5, 14, 62 and 62A from Leeds train station
• By rail: Euston is the nearest mainline station
• By tube: Goodge Street (5 minute walk), Oxford Circus or
Tottenham Court Road (both a 10 minute walk)
www.uprightmri.co.uk
i. Conventional MRI scan is designed to scan the patient in the horizontal position in a tunnel environment
ii. Open MRI scan is less claustrophobic than conventional, typically lower in field strength (0.2T – 0.5T) and designed to scan the patient in the horizontal environment
iii. F.W. Smith, M.D. et al., University of Aberdeen, Scotland. “Positional Upright Imaging of the Lumbar Spine Modifies the Management of Low Back Pain & Sciatica.”
Paper presented at the ESSR (2005) Oxford, England. Published in Clinical MRI , Vol. 15, Issue 3 (2006)