Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has shown to be an effective medical imaging technique that produces detailed crosssectional images of organs, tissues, and skeletal structures.1 Because of its versatility, MR imaging has been called “one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in contemporary clinical medicine.”2 MR imaging is advantageous because it does not rely on potentially harmful ionizing radiation used in other imaging techniques; however, the MR imaging scanner can cause considerable anxiety for individuals with claustrophobia, a fear of confined spaces. The MR imaging scanner is designed as a large tube with a table in the middle. During examinations, the patient lies supine on the table, is slid into the scanner tube, and must remain still so that the MR imaging technologist can produce the precise images needed to facilitate an accurate diagnosis. Depending on the imaging required, the procedure can last from 20 to 50 minutes, which can be distressful for people with claustrophobia because the enclosed space might trigger anxietyinducing feelings and thoughts.
NSTL