Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) also known as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMRI), is a technique used in Radiology to visualize in detail the internal structures of the body. It provides excellent contrast between the various soft tissues of the body. It is very useful in Imaging in Brain, Spine, Joints, Muscles, Blood Vessels, Chest, Abdominal and Pelvic Organs including the Breast, Heart, Prostate and Ovaries. Compared with other Medical Imaging techniques, it does not use X-Ray radiation. It is safe in pregnancy and newborn children.

We have the State-of-the-art 3 Tesla Siemens MRI machine with an open bore magnet, the first of its kind India. Our Centre is a referral base for patients not only from New Delhi (NCR), but tar and wide from all parts of the country and even overseas. This results in fast scanning and causes less claustrophobia. In addition to the routine T1W and T2W scans performed for stroke, blood clots, infarcts, tumors and infections, we do high end specialized MR studies like MR Spectroscopy, Functional Imaging, Perfusion and Diffusion studies, Post Gadolinium Contrast Studies, MRI Brain with Epilepsy Protocol, Angiography and Venography.

Whole Spine Screening is possible in patients undergoing MR for disc prolapse, Sciatica, back pain and cancers.

Wide range of other advanced MRI studies include MRCP( especially for Liver Donor and Gall stones patients), MR Urography, MR Fisulography in anal fistulas, evaluation of the Breasts by MR Mammography, Prostate MRI by Dynamic Contrast, MR diffusion and Spectroscopy. Dedicated studies are performed for patients with deafness for Cochlear implants. We also perform high resolution Cardiac MRI for heart attacks, tumors and muscle pathologies.

We undertake Renal Angiography, Peripheral Angiography, Triphasic Angiography for Liver, Whole Body MRI, Whole Body Angiography, Whole body Diffusion for Cancer Spread.

2D and 3D reconstructions, Dynamic MR and MR Arthrography of all joints including Temporomandibular, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand, Hip, Sacroiliac, Knee, Ankle, Foot and Atlantoaxial can be obtained using High-Resolution MR Techniques.

Computed Tomography (CT) or Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) is an imaging method using focussed X-ray beam to generate an image of a body part in an axial plane to acquire a 3-D data.

The CT scan department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is accredited with a lots of firsts - was the first to install the Whole Body CT in 1983, the first Spiral CT IN 2000, the first multi detector CT in 2004 in North India and now the Low Dose CT in 2011 - The first in South East Asia.

The 128 Slice Low Dose CT is the latest in CT technology. Radiation, even in Diagnostic Imaging, potentially increases the patient’s risk to develop cancer later in life. The Low Dose CT at our Centre reduces the radiation per study by upto 40% without compromise of the Image Quality. The iDose Technology of Philips is being used in every scan to tailor the reduction in radiation dose.

All CT scan studies are performed here-with specialised procedures like CT angiographics - Whole Body, Coronary, Peripheral, Pulmonary and Abdominal angiographics; Liver, Kidney, Small Bowel Transplant Work ups; Oncology Imaging; Non Invasive CT Bronchoscopy and Colonoscopy; 3D Reconstruction of Joints and Musculoskeletal System in Tumors and Trauma; CT guided FNACs, biopsies and Drain placements; Sterotactic Biopsies; CT Brain Perfusion studies are done in routine practice.

Each patient is evaluated by a Full Time Anaesthesiologist for safety of Contrast Administration and providing Anaesthesia / Sedation whenever requires. There are extensive discussions with the referring clinicans before and after the scans and all scans are interpreted by highly qualified, well trained, experienced Radiologists in view of the clinical findings.

The CT scan department is recognized, as an integral part of the hospital, for DNB. Post graduate Training in Radiodiagnosis. A number of Research Projects, Fellowships and Onsite Training Programmer are always underway. The Department is NABH, NABL accredited and meets all AERB guidelines for Radiation Safety.

Dr. T. B. S. Buxi has been associated with the Centre from the very beginning and he too started his career in Radiology Imaging from this centre. Dr. Buxi is a distinguished alumini of Mahatama Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram and a postgraduate of Govt. Medical College, Patiala. He is a life member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences , the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association and the prestigious Radiological Association of North America. He has a number of International and National Publications to his credit. He has single handedly reported over 2 .5lac CT scans. He is actively involved in academic activities and several Postgraduates in various specialities have trained under hisaegis. He has delivered guest lectures in numerous CMEs and scientific programmes all over the country and abroad.

Dr Aditi Sud is an alumnus of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla and a Postgraduate from the DCA imaging institute in New Delhi. She was one of the pioneers of MR imaging in the country and has been practicing MR imaging for the last 16 years. She is one of the foremost experts in MRI of the hepatobiliary system and GI Radiology.

Dr Seema Sud is a graduate of Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. After a brief stint in the armed forces, she joined Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for her Post Graduate studies in Radiodiagnosis. She developed a special interest in MRI, during her post-graduation, which was a field she pursued and specialized in for the next few years. Besides excelling in routine MR imaging, she is one of the foremost experts in the field of Breast MRI in the country and one of the very few people doing breast MRI imaging on a 3 Tesla magnet. She is actively associated with the liver transplant programme in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and also has a special interest in Musculoskeletal MR imaging.

Dr. Anurag Yadav has immense experience of 18years in every aspect of Imaging, but her expertise in the Coronary Imaging is unique. She has been trained in the UK and USA on

Cardiac Imaging and has delivered a number of guest lectures in Coronary Imaging. She has seen nearly all types of variations, anomalies and cardiac valvular abnormalities. She is an aluminus of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and was the first post graduate of the Institute in Radiodiagnosis. She is actively involved in the post graduate teaching and academic activities.

Dr. Samarjit Singh Ghuman is a leading Radiologist of Delhi, Specializing in Hepatobiliary and Transplant Imaging, Neuro imaging and Genitourinary Radiology. He did his post graduation from Govt. Medical College, Patiala and Senior Residency from G. B. Pant Hospital, affiliated to Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. He has a number of National and International Publications to his credit.

Dr. Kishan S. Rawat is a multifaceted Radiologist with extensive experience in Onco Imaging, especially with a background of a long stint at Rajeev Gandhi Cancer Institute. He is also actively involved in Transplant and Cardiac Imaging with special interest in GI Radiology. He is a postgraduate of RIMS Ranchi and has been in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for the last 5 years.

FAQs

1. What is MRI?

MRI uses a strong magnet to magnetise and align the atomic nuclei of the body with help of an external radio-frequency pulse. This causes the nuclei to produce a rotating magnetic field, which is detected by the scanner and reconstructed into an image of the scanned body part.

2. How is MRI performed?

The patient is made to lie still on the table of the machine and according to the body part to be scanned dedicated magnetic coils are used to generate an image.

3. Is any patient preparation required?

In general no patients preparation is required. Only patients for contrast MRI, MRCP studies or patients needing Sedation/Anaesthesia- four hours fasting is needed prior to scan. 

4. Is MRI safe in pregnancy and lactating mothers?

Yes, However, if contrast is used in the study, the mother should not breastfeed for atleast twenty four hours after the scan.

5. Is MRI safe for children?

Yes, in some cases sedation may be required.

6. Is MRI safe after bypass surgery or joint replacement.?

Yes, it is safe after bypass surgery, coronary stents, aneurysmal clips joint replacements and implants as the material used in these is MR compatible. However, reconfirmation with the surgeon is needed to know if the material is MR safe.

7. What are contraindications to MRI?

Pacemakers are an absolute contraindication. However, recently MR compatible pacemakers have been introduced. Magnetic foreign bodies and bullet injuries are also contraindications.

8. How much time does MRI take?

Approximately 15-30 minutes per body part to be scanned. 

9. After how much time will the report be ready ?

All reports are made available to the patients in approximately 24 hours of scanning. In case of emergencies, the reports are immediately conveyed to the concerned clinician.

10. Are the reports available on-line ?

On request the reports may be couriered, written reports can be e-mailed. CDs are available on request.

11. Is cashless facility available?

Payments can be made by cash/credit cards. Cashless Insurance facility is available for indoor patients.

12. Which companies are on empanelment?

We have a long list of empanelment encompassing almost all major companies, the details of the same can be taken from the front desk (Phone No 011-43115700 to 799)

13. How to book an appointment for MRI?

Our booking desk is open 24 hours. (including Sundays and holidays). Please call at 011-43115700-799.

14. What is CT scanning?

Computed Tomography (CT) or Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) is an imaging method using focussed X-ray beam to generate an image of a body part in an axial plane to acquire a 3-D data.

15. Is CT Scan safe in pregnancy and children?

It should not be performed on pregnant women, however if necessary essential CT of all parts of the body apart from the abdomen may be done after shielding the abdomen. It is relatively safe for children with shielding of the reproductive parts.

16. What is contrast?

Contrast is a medicine given intravenously to highlight the vessels and the abdominal tissues. Oral contrast is mixed in water to opacify the intestines.

17. Is contrast necessary for CT?

Most CT scans are performed with contrast.

18. Is contrast safe?

Like any medication, CT contrast also has some adverse effects. Each patient is evaluated by an anesthetist prior to study to assess the risk factors. Renal function tests are done prior to each contrast study.

19. What patient preparation is required for a CT scan?

A patient needs to be 4 hour fasting for all contrast CT scan. All previous medical records should be made available to your radiologist.

20. Who should get a coronary CT? How is it different from cathetre angiography?

Coronary CT is a non-invasive angiography of the heart vessels to look for any blockage. It is also done in patients for follow up of coronary stents and by pass grafts. Unlike conventional angiography no cathetre is used, it has a 100% negative predictive value and a sensitivity and specificity of 96-97%. In cases of high calcium in the vessels, sometimes the degree of blockage may not be assessed accurately.

21. What is the use of CT scans in liver donors?

CT scans are preformed in liver donors to accurately map out the anatomy of the various liver segments and the vessels and determine the volume and fat content of the liver.

22. What role does CT have in cancer patients?

Accurate diagnosis and staging of cancers is done by CT. It is also used to see the response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical treatment.