Diagnosis: Wrong
Posted Feb. 23, 2007
Obesity cases have soared through the roof, profoundly affecting the medical profession.
For example, the industry standard for MRI machines is a weight capacity of 350 pounds. So some obese patients in need of diagnostic tests have experienced problems fitting into an MRI machine so their doctors could obtain accurate readings. For large patients who are able to be screened, being able to get results interpreted correctly can be problematic when fat tissue is dense. This can be very dangerous, as small tumors and other infections can be overlooked.
These issues affect speak to issues of both safety and the stigma of embarrassment.
A 15-year study by Raul Uppot, Ph.D., a radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, revealed several cases of obese patients receiving a poor X-ray reading because of their large size. Problem tests included abdominal ultrasounds, chest X-rays, and abdominal computed tomography. These same imaging problems also play a role in the way obese pregnant women seek prenatal care.
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. has developed a line of products to help health care professionals screen obese patients, including X-ray and MRI machines.
Its Somatom Definition uses two X-ray sources and two detectors to allow doctors to scan any heart rate at the lowest radiation dose possible. Its Somatom Sensation Open features a large gantry opening ideal for minimal invasive interventions and scanning of bariatric patients. This device was designed to enhance clinical performance and substantially reduce processing time.
The Magnetom Espree combines a large open bore with total image matrix technology to provide quality diagnostic images. Patients can also experience shorter wait times as a whole body examination can be completed in less than 12 minutes. The Espree features a weight capacity of 550 pounds in both the horizontal and vertical direction.
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