Whole Body MRI Screening

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is among the most advanced, detailed diagnostic imaging tools available. At Herald Medical PLLC in San Antonio, Texas, Matthew Taon, MD, RPVI, WCC, CIIP, and his team offer MRI screening of the entire body. This enables them to identify and treat numerous medical issues before they become more serious. Call Herald Medical PLLC to learn more about whole-body MRI screening, or request a consultation online today.

What is whole-body MRI screening?

Whole-body MRI screening involves undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging procedure to look for signs of health problems. It can form a valuable part of your preventive care by identifying abnormalities early on when there’s a better chance of successful treatment.

MRI machines are large tubes containing powerful magnets. When the machine works, the magnets rotate around you, taking multiple pictures of your body’s insides in layered slices. These slices form a complete image of the tissues, bones, and organs in the area covered.

Most MRIs recommended by your healthcare provider will be for specific diagnostic purposes, such as investigating the cause of severe, ongoing head pain. With a whole-body MRI, the Herald Medical PLLC team checks the entire body from head to toe.

What happens during a whole-body MRI screening?

You lie on the MRI bed, which slides into the machine so the tube surrounds you. Some people find this experience slightly claustrophobic, but newer, open MRIs are less so. MRIs can also be noisy, making loud clangs as the magnets move.

The process of having a whole-body MRI screening could take around 45 minutes, so it’s important that you’re comfortable. You must also stay as still as possible throughout the procedure. You can wear an eye mask and headphones to lessen the noise and even listen to music or an audiobook if you’d like.

You’re free to go about your day when the procedure’s over. Your Herald Medical PLLC provider will contact you with the results after they’ve read the report.

What might a whole-body MRI screening detect?

A whole-body MRI screening can detect multiple health problems, including:

• Cancers
• Aneurysms
• Ischemia
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis
• Musculoskeletal abnormalities
• Cysts
• Liver and kidney disease
• Gallbladder and pancreatic disease

You can also have more in-depth scans of the prostate, breast, and liver.

After your MRI, the Herald Medical PLLC team reviews the results with you. The whole-body MRI screening might detect issues that aren’t anything to worry about or require routine monitoring, like a painless ovarian cyst.

If any abnormalities require further investigation or treatment, this early intervention makes all the difference.

Call Herald Medical PLLC for more information about whole-body MRI screening. You can also request an appointment via the online booking feature.