Obese patients in the U.K. are getting too big to fit into MRI scanners, which can lead to health complications after canceled exams, according to a recent article by BBC News.
Cardiff and Value University Health Board in Wales reported more than 200 canceled MRI scans since 2014, according to the article, though has obtained a mobile scanner to tackle the issue.
"[This issue] causes inconvenience to waiting lists—particularly if it's not clear the patient will not fit in the machine until the day of the appointment itself," said Richard Evans, chief executive of the Society of Radiographers, to BBC. "Then there is the additional problem that comes with rearranged appointments such as the added costs to the NHS when services are already under such pressure."
The British Dietetics Association also expressed that the size of medical imaging equipment is not growing in line with obesity rates, according to the article. Health boards in the U.K. have therefore resorted to buying extra-large scanners and sending patients to other facilities out of the area that have adequate equipment.
"The statistics are quite clearly showing increasing rates of obesity but services and equipment doesn't seem to be growing in line with that," said Sioned Quirke from the British Dietetics Association to BBC.
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A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.