Open MRI in Houston
An open MRI puts the magnet above and below you instead of wrapping it around you. The sides stay open and the room stays visible. It is one of the MRI options we offer — see the MRI page for the exam itself.
Open MRI. One of the MRI options we offer. The magnet sits above and below only, so you keep a clear line of sight to the room and there’s space beside the table for a family member.
What makes it open
A conventional MRI is a cylinder. You lie on a table that slides into a tube roughly the width of your shoulders, and the magnet surrounds you on every side for the length of the scan. It produces excellent images, and for a lot of people it's completely fine.
An open MRI is built differently. We scan on a Hitachi AIRIS Elite, where the magnet is split into two flat surfaces — one above the table, one below — held apart by a support at the back. Nothing crosses your line of sight to the left or right. You can see the room, the technologist, and anyone you brought with you.
Use the toggle above to see the difference in cross-section. That gap on either side is the whole point.
Who it helps most
- People with claustrophobia. No enclosure means no trigger. If you've had a panic response in a closed scanner before, this is a different physical experience, not the same one with reassurance attached.
- Larger patients. There's no fixed tunnel diameter to fit through. Table weight limits still apply and vary by system, so call ahead and we'll confirm.
- Children and anxious patients. A parent or partner can stand at the table where they can be seen and touched, once they've cleared the same screening you do.
- People in significant pain. More working room means more options for positioning you with cushions and supports so you can stay still long enough to get clean images.
- Anyone who has already failed a scan. If a study was abandoned partway through, tell us. We schedule extra time for repeat attempts.
Anxious about the scan? We can provide mild sedation on site. All medication is provided solely at the clinical discretion of our medical provider following an in-person health screening, so ask when you book — and arrange a ride home in case it is given. More about sedation →
What we image on it
MRI is the strongest tool for soft tissue, which covers most of what sends people for one:
- Lumbar spine
- Cervical spine
- Thoracic spine
- Brain
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Ankle & foot
- Wrist & hand
- Elbow
- Abdomen
- Pelvis
Your doctor's order names the body part and whether contrast is needed. If you're not sure what was ordered, we can check with their office.
What the scan is like
You'll change into a gown or stay in metal-free clothing, then lie on a padded table. We position the body part being imaged and may place a coil — a small frame that receives the signal — near it. Then the imaging starts.
MRI is loud. It knocks, buzzes and clicks in bursts, each burst being one sequence of images. We give you ear protection, and we speak to you between sequences to tell you what's next and how long it runs. You hold a call button the entire time. Press it and we stop.
The single thing that matters most for image quality is holding still. If you're uncomfortable, tell us before we start rather than trying to endure it — a two-minute adjustment beats a repeated scan.
Contrast
Some MRI exams use a gadolinium-based contrast agent given through an IV to make certain tissues, vessels or areas of inflammation stand out. Whether you need it is decided by the doctor who ordered the scan, not at check-in.
If contrast is on your order, tell us in advance if you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function, are on dialysis, have had a reaction to contrast before, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. We may need a recent kidney function blood test first.
Safety screening isn't a formality. The magnet is always on. Tell us about a pacemaker, defibrillator, aneurysm clip, cochlear implant, neurostimulator, insulin pump, older stent, or any history of metal fragments in your eyes — before your appointment, not on arrival. Bring your implant card if you have one. Most joint replacements, plates, screws and dental work are fine, but we still need to know they're there.
How to prepare
- Eat and take your usual medications normally, unless we've told you otherwise.
- Wear clothes with no metal — no zippers, snaps, underwire or metallic thread.
- Leave jewelry, watches and piercings at home.
- Bring photo ID, your insurance card, and your paper order if you have one.
- Bring your implant card if you have any implanted device.
- Arrive about 15 minutes early for paperwork and screening.
Afterwards
There's no recovery period. You can drive yourself home and go straight back to normal activity. If you had contrast, drinking water afterwards helps clear it.
A radiologist reads your images and sends a report to the doctor who ordered the scan — that's who will go over the findings with you. You can also request a copy of your own images and report from us at any time.
Common questions about MRI
I panicked in a closed MRI before. Will this be different?
Physically, yes — the sides are open, so nothing surrounds your head and you can see out of the machine in both directions. Tell us about the previous attempt when you call so we can plan for it: extra time, someone at the table with you, and breaks between sequences.
Will I fit?
Open systems don't have a fixed tunnel to squeeze into, which is why they suit larger patients. There are still table limits that vary by scanner, so call with your height and weight and we'll confirm the right location before you make the trip.
Can my husband, wife or parent stay in the room?
Usually, yes — as long as they pass the same metal screening you do and there's no contraindication. Let us know when you book so we can screen them ahead of time instead of at the door.
I get very anxious. Can I have something to help me relax?
We can provide mild sedation on site. All medication is provided solely at the clinical discretion of our medical provider following an in-person health screening, so it is not something we can promise in advance. Ask when you book and we will schedule time for the screening. If sedation is given, you will need someone to drive you home.
Do I need contrast, and do I have to fast?
Your doctor's order specifies it. If contrast is ordered we'll tell you when we confirm your appointment and let you know whether to skip food beforehand. Tell us if you have kidney problems, diabetes, a prior reaction to contrast, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
I have metal in my body. Can I still be scanned?
Call us before your appointment. Pacemakers, defibrillators, aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, neurostimulators, some older stents, and metal fragments in the eye all need to be checked first. Bring your implant card if you have one. Most joint replacements and dental work are fine, but we still need to know.
Book an open MRI
Tell us what was ordered and we'll verify your coverage and find the closest opening.