I’m too scared to have an MRI

Q

I’m under the care of a specialist looking into why I am getting dizzy spells. He wants me to have an MRI scan of my head, but I am seriously claustrophobic. I don’t think I would cope with going into the scanner tunnel. My friend who had a private scan a couple of years ago told me that she had a scan using what she described as an ‘open scanner’. Can you get this on the NHS, too?

A

Yes, this is certainly worth discussing with your neurologist. Some NHS trusts do have their own open MRI scanning facility. You may be able to access that even if it isn’t in your area with a referral from your specialist. And also some departments will buy the service from local private hospitals.