MRI Scan Birmingham

The quality of images that MRI scanners produce vary due to the strength of their magnets which are measured in units known as Teslas (T).

Most people can understand the different quality of photo images that can be produced from the camera on their smartphone, etc, which are measured in “pixels”.
The same principle can be applied to MRI scanners, where the images are measured in Teslas, so the higher the “Tesla”, the higher the image quality.

Our MRI scanners range from 1.5T- field strength, to 3T which is regarded as the gold standard for certain diagnostic investigations. We now have two 3T MRI scanners at Heath Lodge Clinic.

The main advantage of a 3T scanner over a 1.5T scanner, is the higher strength of the magnetic field, which gives a higher resolution signal return from the person who is undergoing the scan, resulting in a better image quality for part of the anatomy being scanned.

3T scanning may take longer and our 1.5T scanner is particularly wide bore, fast and often more suitable for claustrophobic and bariatric patients.

As the image quality of an MRI depends on signal and field strength, having a higher signal strength allows a 3T MRI to offer a superior image quality.

Because MR scanning does not use X-Rays or radiation it is a safe procedure with no side-effects and shows detail and gives diagnoses which in many cases cannot be obtained by other imaging methods.