November 25, 2009

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Imagine strapping on a pair of goggles to watch a movie or relaxing video while undergoing an MRI. Sounds too futuristic to be possible? It's not.

Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe and Royal Oak are using goggles, which allow patients to watch a favorite flick during an MRI.

The goggles are said to reduce the incidence of claustrophobia (a fear of enclosed spaces) in patients who have the condition. Having an MRI can spark fearful feelings as the test takes place in a relatively narrow, tube-like machine.

As a result, individuals who become agitated must be anesthetized; others refuse to undergo the testing altogether rather than deal with the fear. The goggles are also proven to help children undergoing the procedure to remain still, a requirement for clear images.

"CinemaVision has helped our claustrophobic patients get through their MRI procedure with little to no pre-medication, and has generally made every patient feel more relaxed in the MR environment," says Rob Kilpatrick, director of Radiology at Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe.