Diagnosis

MRI for overweight people

introduction

Over the past few decades, the proportion of overweight people in Germany and the industrialized nations has increased continuously. According to the Ministry of Health, around 15% of Germans suffer from obesity (BMI> 30 kg / m2). This creates more and more challenges in health care.

Above all, there are Problems in imaging diagnostics, because the technical requirements set limits for the construction of the diagnostic equipment. As a result, it came to in recent years Development of new MRI deviceswhich, thanks to their larger diameter, make it possible to examine overweight people. Also the development of MRT machines open on one side contributes to it.

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Up to what height can I do an MRI?

In principle, an MRI examination is possible for almost any body size and weight.

However, since the individual MRT machines differ greatly in their structure, the doctor should be informed about height and weight prior to the examination so that he can assess whether imaging is possible with the existing MRT machines. Otherwise you can be referred to another clinic or practice.

The MRT machines used as standard nowadays are usually 120 to 150 cm long and the tube 50 to 60 cm in diameter. In addition, devices with a diameter of up to 70 cm have come onto the market in recent years. The maximum weight for which the MRI tables are designed varies greatly and ranges between 150 and 300 kg.

Open MRT machines (open on one side) therefore allow a better examination, depending on the question. Often only the body section to be examined is moved into the area of the C-shaped magnet. However, due to the use of a weaker magnetic field, the image quality is weaker than with closed MRT machines, which is why open MRT machines are not suitable for examining all clinical questions.

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From what height do I need an MRI with a large tube?

The tubes of closed MRI machines used today have one Length between 120 and 150cm and one Diameter from 50 to 60cm. The maximum weight for which the MRI tables are designed varies greatly and extends approximately between 150 and 300kg.

The 'large tubes' that have come onto the market in recent years have a larger diameter (70cm) and are therefore suitable for people with a larger body size.

Up to what height can I do an open MRI?

The open MRI consists of one C-shaped magnetinto which the body area to be examined can be driven. By a larger lying area (up to 150cm) and clearly smaller magnets the open MRI is also for special large and heavy patients suitable.

The structure of the open MRTs differs greatly between the individual manufacturers. Thereby there too no uniform body sizes, up to which an open MRI can be performed. It is therefore advisable to see the attending physician before the examination provide information about height and weight. Based on his experience, he can then decide, depending on the patient, whether an MRI imaging can be performed.

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Does the MRI pay the health insurance for overweight people?

The MRI examination in one closed MRI is used when medically necessary from the statutory health insurance paid and is independent of body size or body weight.

If imaging in a closed MRI is not possible and an open MRI has to be done, the costs are covered by the health insurance companies not adopted in all cases.

The assumption of the costs is depending on the medical question, height or weight and the need for imaging with an open MRI. Requirement is one pre-filled declaration of assumption of costs, in which the choice of the open MRI procedure is justified and a cost estimate must be made.

The Open MRI costs (for self-paying or private patients), depending on the organ system to be examined and the effort involved, the examination is between 140 and 1200 €.

Further information on the subject can be found: Cost of an MRI examination

To what extent does being overweight affect image quality?

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), they orient themselves Atomic nuclei of the body's own tissues after this strong magnetic field. Be there all atomic nuclei within the magnetic field independently of each other aligned along the magnetic field lines. This alignment is regardless of the composition of the fabric. This has obesity no influence on the image quality in the MRI.

This distinguishes MRT imaging from other imaging methods that work with X-rays (X-rays, CT). This radiation penetrates the tissues of the body and is absorbed to different degrees. After leaving the body, the remaining radiation is registered by a film. Adipose tissue leads to a increased absorption of radiationwhich is why fewer signals can be registered from the film. As a result, a higher radiation dose needed to get the same picture quality to be able to guarantee.

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