Pediatric hospital Alder Hey installs groundbreaking 3-Tesla MRI scanner, leading the way in Europe.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool has made a significant stride in the realm of medical research, becoming the first paediatric hospital in Europe to install a 3-Tesla MRI research scanner [1][2]. This state-of-the-art imaging technology, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), promises to advance pediatric imaging research capabilities, improve diagnostic precision, and position the hospital as a leader in global pediatric medical research [1][2][3].
The 3-Tesla MRI scanner offers enhanced imaging quality, providing higher magnetic field strength compared to standard MRI scanners. This results in sharper, more detailed images, crucial in pediatrics where detecting subtle abnormalities in small patients can be challenging [1]. Improved diagnostic accuracy allows researchers and clinicians to precisely identify neurological and other conditions in children [1].
The dedicated research use of the scanner enables longitudinal studies and advanced imaging protocols without impacting clinical service availability [1]. Future investigations at Alder Hey are expected to focus on neurological development and disorders, non-invasive diagnostics, and postmortem MRI research [1].
Professor Shivaram Avula, Consultant Radiologist at Alder Hey, hails the new scanner as a game-changer for imaging and research, providing the necessary imaging speed, resolution, and flexibility [1]. The new scanner's availability for research will enable the hospital to conduct studies, including early-phase clinical trials and high-intensity experimental medicine research [1].
The new 3-Tesla MRI scanner offers a "calm, child-friendly environment" with features such as an immersive scan room, in-bore entertainment, and lightweight, more comfortable equipment [1]. This makes it suitable for research involving children. The hospital expects the new scanner to attract national and international collaborations, contributing to both local communities and global medical advancements [1].
The first study using the new 3-Tesla MRI scanner involves scanning newborns during natural sleep to study how early life and environment affect brain development [1]. The scanner will primarily support research and is not intended for routine clinical imaging needs [1]. The installation of the 3-Tesla MRI scanner offers increased capacity for research scans at a time when clinical demand for MRI continues to grow [1].
The hospital's Research General Manager, Jason Taylor, stated that the new scanner means more research for Alder Hey and that it is available for partner organisations such as hospitals, universities, and industry [2]. The scanner will provide faster, more detailed imaging and improve patient comfort [2].
The new 3-Tesla MRI scanner at Alder Hey is only the second of its kind in the world [1]. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is essential for medical research as it provides high-resolution structural and functional insights into the body, crucial for tracking disease progression, detecting early warning signs, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment [1].
References: [1] Alder Hey Children's Hospital. (2021). Alder Hey Children's Hospital Installs State-of-the-Art 3-Tesla MRI Research Scanner. [online] Available at: https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/news/alderscanner
[2] BBC News. (2021). Alder Hey Children's Hospital Gets Europe's First 3-Tesla MRI Scanner. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-57862164
[3] Postmortem MRI. (2021). Postmortem MRI. [online] Available at: https://www.postmortem-mri.org/
The state-of-the-art 3-Tesla MRI research scanner at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, a first in Europe, is expected to advance medical-conditions research in health-and-wellness, particularly focusing on neurological development and disorders, non-invasive diagnostics, and postmortem MRI research through clinical trials and experimental medicine research. This scanner, essential for science and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), offers a more child-friendly environment and faster, more detailed imaging capacity for partner organizations, contributing to both local and global scientific advancements in the realm of medical research.
