A psychological reaction to being confined in a relatively small area.
This is a very
real psychological danger for some individuals during the
MRI procedure. A small percentage of patients is claus
trophobic and cannot tolerate the confined space within a closed
MRI magnet. Claus
trophobia, panic attacks and other psychological s
tress situations have been reported in about 1-4% of cases as a reason to interrupt the
MRI examination. Principally short and wide
open MRI devices are advantageous because the percentage of claus
trophobic incidents drops significantly.
Detailed explanation of the
MRI procedure, careful attention and special
equipment (mirrors to look outside the machine, emergency bells) help to reduce claus
trophobia significantly. The majority of claus
trophobic patients will be sufficiently relaxed with orally or in
travenous sedatives.
See also
Open MRI.