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26 Executive Brief: Weight-bearing MRI Technology for Spine Surgery Incorporating Weight-Bearing MRI Into Spine Practices: Q&A With Dr. Douglas Smith of Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants By Laura Miller Douglas Smith, MD, founder of Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants, discusses what it takes to incorporate weight-bearing MRI into spine practices. Q: How can weight-bearing MRI be incorporated into the surgeon's practice? Dr. Douglas Smith: Weight-bearing MRI such as the Esaote G-scan Brio provides a cost-effective MRI solution for orthopedic and spine practices that desire an in-office MRI unit that excels in the spine but can also examine the hip, shoulder and remainder of the joints with high quality. The price and operating costs are less that 1/3 of other comparable technology on the market. Q: What are the advantages of using weight-bearing technology over other types of MRI? DS: Patients more frequently experience pain from nerve root compression, spinal stenosis, or instability when standing or weight-bearing than when recumbent and research and European experience have shown 20 to 30 percent larger or more frequent findings with weight-bearing than non-weight-bearing position. Fast cine flexion-extension views can also be performed of the cervical spine. The newer technology includes high efficiency surface coils that produce images of similar quality to high field strength magnets at a much more favorable price point. Q: How does this new technology impact patient care? Brio ankle DS: New weight-bearing MRI is an ideal choice for patients whose symptoms only occur or are worse when standing or weight-bearing. Recumbent MRI scanning of many of these patients would fail to explain their symptoms and they would not receive the proper treatment and suffer needlessly. The Brio has a unique open design and the patients head remains clear outside the scan area. Q: Where is the trend of weight-bearing MRI headed in the future? Brio shoulder RadPics® IMAGING CONSULTANTS San Antonio, Texas • 866-690-0008 • info@msktelerads.com MSK_RadCloud_Ad_Half_2_13 FIN.indd 1 2/28/13 4:49 PM