KARACHI, April 23: A new state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging system has been acquired by Aga Khan University Hospital. This system is the first of its kind in Pakistan equipped with Total Imaging Matrix technology that allows for the whole-body imaging in a single sitting, virtually eliminating the need for patient’s repositioning.

AKUH has been equipped with MRI facilities since 1996. Previously, MRI scans used to take up to an hour to complete a single sequence, but with this latest system at AKUH, the exposure time for a head-to-toe scan has been reduced to 12 minutes only. Moreover, the system allows up to 97 per cent acoustic noise reduction.

In addition to its scanning capabilities, the new MRI system is equipped with new examination such as diffusion and perfusion imaging (useful in diagnosing early stages of stroke, brain tumours and infections); spectroscopy; magnetic resonance angiography; basic functional imaging of the brain and rapid imaging for sick patients who cannot lie still on the table.—PPI