MANA MRI and Imaging are American College of Radiology accredited facilities located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. While you may have heard of our clinics, you might not realize that our radiologists have been providing diagnostic care, imaging, and radiology in Northwest Arkansas for the last 40 years.
Here are 10 other facts you may not know about MRI:
- MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to collect images. That’s why items made of metal and devices that emit radio waves are not allowed anywhere near and MRI scanner.
- The main magnet in an MRI can create a magnetic field that is one to four thousand times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field.
- The magnets used in MRI scanners must be cooled to a temperature of absolute zero. This cooling is typically done with liquid hydrogen.
- MRI scans are often used to identify tumors or bone fractures that are too small for x-ray. MRI scans are ideal for orthopedic, neurological, and vascular imaging, but can be used for other diagnoses as well.
- Unlike X-ray or CT scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging does not use ionizing radiation. This makes MRI a popular alternative to scans that do use radiation.
- An MRI scan can take as little as 10 minutes or as long 2 hours. The duration depends on the specific purpose of the MRI scan.
- Japan has the highest number of MRI units per capita, with 43.1 units per million people. The United States comes in second place with 25.9 MRI units per million population.
- The first successful MRI scan performed on a live human patient was performed on July 3rd, 1977.
- MRI machines are calibrated in Tesla units. Nikola Tesla is associated with the discovery of the rotating magnetic field.
- MANA offers the only 3T MRI in Northwest Arkansas. 3T MRI generates a magnetic field that is twice the strength of conventional MRI scanners.
MANA MRI is located in MANA Plaza at 3380 N. MANA Court, Suite 102 next to Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics Wellness Clinic in Fayetteville.