ESCANABA -- Three years ago, Patty Woerpel discovered that she had a benign brain tumor. She had to have an MRI, but the older unit was noisy and not the roomiest.
OSF St. Francis in Escanaba has a new magnetic resonance imaging unit.
“Well, again, the main issue there: it's much quieter,” explains OSF radiologist, Steve Manier. “You know because the noise, that is part of the old unit is necessary for it to function."
Unlike a CAT scan, an MRI doesn't have any radiation, and it can provide sharper images of the brain, joints, and even soft tissue. It also helps to reduce patient claustrophobia, since it has a larger opening.
“Oh, I’m confident,” said Woerpel. “I think the machine does what it needs to do. It shows everything that's in your head. It’s amazing what you can see."
The new unit offers convenience as well.
“Now people don't have to travel out of town,” Manier said. “You know, it's hard to travel. Gas prices are high. So it really services more of the patients in the community."
Patty said she's comfortable and confident with the new MRI. The tumor is still in her brain, but she plans on having it removed in the next few weeks. And for now, medication helps her avoid having seizures.
General Electric has leased the new MRI unit to OSF for five years. The old units may be refurbished and leased to smaller community hospitals or hospitals in other countries.
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