Magnetic resonance imaging, better known to everyone as MRI, is one of the effective and informative forms of patient examination. With its help, the doctor can accurately make a diagnosis, because during the examination both soft tissues and blood vessels, as well as internal organs, are checked. This technique is considered the best for identifying diseases of the spine, brain and spinal cord. It has no analogues, the procedure is absolutely unique. Sometimes it can complement or even replace other forms of diagnostics. For example, thanks to the possibility of 3D modeling of the objects being studied, it is possible to avoid angiography (contrast examination of blood vessels based on X-ray techniques) or to narrow the search area for pathologies.
Among the undoubted advantages of MRI are painlessness and lack of radiation exposure. But there is also a big drawback - it is impossible to carry out in the presence of contraindications, so in such a situation you will either have to refuse the examination or look for ways to still carry it out.
The question of conducting an MRI is especially acute when the patient is claustrophobic, since the study takes place when the patient is placed in a closed tube. About 20 percent of the population suffers from fear of enclosed spaces. Such people refuse diagnosis, believing that claustrophobia and MRI are incompatible concepts. However, there is still a way out.
Claustrophobia as one of the contraindications
As mentioned above, one of the advantages of MRI is safety. However, the procedure has a number of contraindications, in the presence of which the study is prohibited, since there are threats to the patient’s health and failure of diagnostic equipment. These include:
- electronic implants in the body, such as a pacemaker or hearing aid;
- pins or metal structures;
- clipping of cerebral vessels in the medical history.
Claustrophobia is not an absolute contraindication to MRI.
Let us immediately make a reservation that true claustrophobia - a mental disorder characterized by a pronounced fear of being in a closed space, with accompanying clinical symptoms - is very rare. As a rule, such a diagnosis is established by a psychiatrist. At the same time, the development of a panic attack when entering a narrow, confined space is a frequent occurrence. Patients have different degrees of severity of such manifestations.
In people suffering from a fear of closed spaces, this pathology manifests itself in different ways. Some begin to experience tachycardia, a feeling of fear when entering a locked or cramped room, others experience a panic attack and hysteria. The causes of claustrophobia have not yet been precisely determined. Experts believe that the matter lies in psychological trauma or severe stress.
The pathological syndrome can manifest itself in any confined space from which it is impossible to leave: from the elevator to the board of the aircraft.
Claustrophobia has the following symptoms:
- increased level of anxiety - this is where the disease begins;
- tachycardia – caused by the release of a special hormone;
- dizziness, loss of orientation;
- rapid breathing;
- increased sweating;
- dry throat;
- tinnitus;
- shiver.
The MRI procedure lasts from 20 minutes to several hours, depending on the area being examined and the pathology. For a patient with claustrophobia, even 5 minutes in a capsule is a difficult ordeal. However, it is not necessary to refuse the examination; the problem can be solved. MRI for claustrophobia can be performed because, in addition to classic closed devices, there are open-type devices.
Advantages of open MRI
In a closed-type device (it is a large capsule), the patient is completely immersed in the tube for the duration of the procedure. For those suffering from claustrophobia, this is a difficult experience. There is a good alternative for them - an open-type MRI machine. There are no walls on the sides; only a special canvas is placed on top.
Carrying out an examination with such a tomograph completely eliminates being in a confined space, so the procedure will take place without fears or problems.
What is fear of enclosed spaces?
A mental illness called “claustrophobia” is a condition in which a person experiences panic and anxiety when entering a confined space. For such people, a banal elevator ride or being in a small room becomes a problem. At an advanced stage of the disease, the patient cannot get on a bus or get into a car.
Fear of enclosed spaces has characteristic features:
- a feeling of severe anxiety increases;
- pulse quickens, blood pressure rises;
- loss of body control;
- sweating;
- feeling of dryness in the throat;
- pain in the temples, dizziness.
Claustrophobia is often an acquired condition. A person faces a dangerous disease after suffering stress, disaster or physical trauma. Some patients manage to control themselves and can enter the elevator for a short time. But conducting an examination using tunnel-type devices takes at least 20–30 minutes, which is too long for a patient with a similar problem.
MRI doctors note that while in a tomograph, a panic attack sometimes begins in a person who has not previously shown signs of claustrophobia. Perhaps the monotonous buzzing and flickering of sensors, new sounds and the need to remain motionless for half an hour have a strong impact on the psyche. An aggravating factor is anxiety in anticipation of a diagnosis, fear of cancer, or poor health due to the underlying illness.
For such patients, it becomes a problem how to get an MRI if claustrophobia prevents them from being in the tomograph tunnel. In some situations, doctors try to choose a gentle method of examination, using radiography or ultrasound. If standard diagnostics do not give the desired result, different methods are used to correct the situation.
How to get an MRI if you have claustrophobia
To reduce the risk of unexpected stressful emotions during MRI, you should:
- try to find a clinic where the procedure is performed using open-type equipment;
- lie on your side or stomach, but not on your back;
- study in detail the features of the procedure and its order in order to know what happens during your stay in the capsule;
- Ask a relative or friend to be present during the MRI.
Proper preparation for the examination plays an important role. We are talking, first of all, about the psychological mood. It will be useful to communicate with those who have already undergone the procedure. They will tell you how they felt and how effective this method is.
How to do a closed MRI for claustrophobia
Finding a clinic with an open MRI machine can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, so you have to prepare for the examination in a classic capsule. It will pass without problems if you listen to some recommendations:
- you need to inspect the device to understand that it is not completely closed, there is a way out of it;
- to increase the space inside the capsule, just remove the pillow;
- To provide the space with fresh air, you can turn on ventilation;
- you can close your eyes during the procedure or use a bandage;
- turn on the lighting to maximum to assess the situation around you;
- ask the doctor to talk throughout the procedure;
- turn on relaxing, pleasant music;
- take a sedative.
If the measures described do not help, and fear remains, then it is better to undergo an MRI under anesthesia. By the way, for children this is a mandatory condition, since the child is unlikely to be able to remain motionless for a long time, and this is important for obtaining results. The use of anesthesia has significant advantages:
- obtaining images of maximum quality;
- eliminating the possibility of movements during the examination;
- acceleration of procedure time;
- reducing the likelihood of obtaining an incorrect result.
Whatever procedure is performed - a spinal examination or an MRI of the brain - psychological preparation is extremely important for claustrophobia. If the patient is sure that he will not be able to stay in the capsule for a long time, then it is better to decide on the use of sedatives or immersion in medicated sleep.
Special equipment
The MRI machine is equipped with special equipment that will help cope with fears. This includes:
- panic button – in case of discomfort, the patient can always press it to interrupt the diagnosis;
- headphones - they are needed to communicate with the doctor, in them the patient will hear what he should do - for example, hold his breath; You can play pleasant music through headphones to reduce stress;
- internal communication - the patient can always tell the doctor about his condition;
- mirror - with its help the patient will see what is happening outside;
- light and ventilation - to create comfortable conditions inside the device.
What doctors can do
The technologists servicing the tomograph and the doctor must tell the patient in detail what awaits him, how the examination is carried out, and explain that it is safe and will not cause any harm. They will show the device so that the patient understands that the capsule has an entrance and an exit, it is not completely sealed.
During the scan, doctors can constantly talk to the person being examined, saying that nothing bad will happen, no one will forget about him and will help if he becomes ill.
The specialist will offer a sedative if necessary, for example, Corvalol.
The doctor is obliged to inform the patient about the presence of a panic button. The most important thing is to explain to the patient that MRI for claustrophobia is possible and will not cause harm.
What can the patient do?
The patient should tell the doctor from the very beginning that he suffers from claustrophobia. The most important thing is to conduct psychological preparation in order to tune in positively to the procedure.
You need to decide in advance whether lighting and ventilation are required. You can ask a friend or relative to accompany you. Experts such as psychologists and psychotherapists will tell you how to deal with the fear of closed spaces.
Services and prices
An examination in a closed tomograph costs on average 4-8 thousand rubles, in an open one - 2-10 thousand.
Prices for computed tomography start from 4 thousand rubles.
Prices depend on the device, as well as the area that needs to be examined.
How to get an MRI if you have claustrophobia
If a person is very worried and afraid, we invite him to come to the clinic without an appointment for a so-called “acquaintance” with the open-type MRI machine and the progress of the procedure . The X-ray technician will show him the device itself, tell him about the principles of operation, and also tell him all the stages of the study. It is also allowed to have relatives or friends present during the study, talking with the patient during the procedure and holding his hand.
If the patient does not have anyone to come to the study with or he did not expect that claustrophobia would suddenly manifest itself, one of the clinic staff may be with him during the study. The x-ray technician, seeing that the patient is going through, talks to him during the examination via speakerphone, is constantly in contact with him. This allows a person to relax, to understand that there is always someone next to him, that he has not been abandoned. The patient can also turn on music for a greater feeling of comfort.
Considering that during an MRI of the brain it is necessary to lie still, and if a person is claustrophobic or has severe pain, it is difficult for a person to stay in one position, sometimes it is necessary to redo the programs so that the images are clear and informative. Understanding this, we record patients in such a way as to avoid delays for other patients as much as possible, even if it is necessary to install additional programs.
Alternative options
If the listed methods do not help, and layer-by-layer scanning of the organ is the only way to make a correct diagnosis, you need to look for other options.
One alternative has already been indicated - an open apparatus. But it's not easy to find. Therefore, we have to select other options. And there is a way out - computed tomography. This technique is not as accurate as MRI for studying soft tissue, but for patients with claustrophobia it can be a real lifesaver.
MRI is a modern and accurate diagnostic method. Patients with claustrophobia do not need to give it up. Proper preparation is the key to success.
How is tomography performed?
A magnetic resonance homograph is a structure in the form of a tunnel (circular cylinder). For examination, a person is placed on a movable table and secured with straps. This is done to immobilize the client and obtain a clear image in the pictures. Even a slight change in body position leads to data distortion, and the procedure has to be repeated.
Before the examination begins, the table slides into the tunnel and remains there until the end of the procedure. An MRI session can last from 15 minutes to an hour. The medical staff moves to an adjacent room where computer equipment is located to process the received data. The examination itself is painless, but the strong noise generated by the device and the need to lie motionless for a long time in a narrow tunnel cause anxiety in some patients. For people suffering from claustrophobia, undergoing the procedure may trigger a panic attack.
