Best place for an MRI

Amazingfun

Hi. I need a bit of advice please?

I have an old knee injury that I've been ignoring/hoping would heal on its own and now a year later I am forced into getting an MRI as the pain and swelling has really ramped up this week, to the point where I can hardly walk on it.

So I've got my referral letter from my GP and have now contacted both the Mater Private and Alliance in Smithfield....seems Alliance is 50 euro cheaper, but I wonder if it's better to go to the Mater?

I haven't a clue really as I've never had one of these before (MRI), is there a difference in quality?

RobFowl

Some MRI scanners are higher resolution than other but tbh anywhere covered by insurance or in an approved centre would be of high standard.

solomafioso

I'd recommend Euromedic in Dundrum.

Had two MRI's (on my knee). I think they're about 270e (could be wrong!).

Check the website or give them a buzz.

http://euromedic.ie/

Amazingfun

Thanks Solo but the Mater is only 250, Alliance 200

solomafioso

Amazingfun wrote: »

Thanks Solo but the Mater is only 250, Alliance 200

http://euromedic.ie/services/mri-scan.aspx

Ah, on the Euromedic site:

MRI from €200, Ultrasound from €95, Pay at centre

No harm giving them a buzz. Again, it does say "from"!

RobFowl

I know Euromedic give you a reduction if you hold a medical card FWIW.

marcus2000

Euromedic also charge an extra 10er for the CD, which your GP/specialist may want to see.

I went to the Euromedic in Northwood, Santry. Nice place. In and Out in no time.

endacl

If it was my knee, I wouldn't quibble over €70. Skip your next night out and you're probably up on the deal.

crisco10

Euromedic in Dundrum was where I went. Was great; in and out in 25 minutes for my knee scan.

The only issue I had was they played some serious toe-tapping music while the scan was going. It was torture trying to keep still!

Ihaveanopinion

I would urge caution with going to the cheapest MRI scanner. The issue is not the scanner - most of them are 1.5T scanners anyway. The issue is the person interpreting the scan, which in most situations is the radiologist.

The majority of scans are, like in the OPs situation, for musculoskeletal reasons. These scans should ideally be interpreted by musculoskeletal radiologists. There are some hospitals in which a knee/hip/shoulder/etc MRI will only be read by an MSK radiologist. Cappagh/Mater Private to name but two. With some of the other centres, the quality of the interpretation of the scan is variable - as the radiologist is not always an MSK radiologist.

Ideally you should be guided by your GP - and not necessarily by the cost. But of course, ring around . . .

Amazingfun

In the end I went with Alliance. Will see GP Monday for results, so hopefully all went well.

Thanks for the input everyone.