Had an MRI yesterday; damn those machines are small when your inside them... fantastic staff, very professional, you could not ask for more.

Love the Swiss Health Service; Second to none!!

I had an MRI in England a while ago. It is surprising how small they are, and loud. I wasn't fully prepared for the loud bangs that happen. Risking some groans I seriously don't know how the really fat people fit into them.............or women with massive breasts.

Had ear protectors; funny thinking the same thing; with that image of the huge guy sitting half in half out in an airplane seat the other month; he would never fit in this machine.

I had one 2 months ago, I wouldnt say that the machine itself is small - takes up an entire room, rather the vestibule or compartment where you lie is small, and indeed loud. I was quite cold when laying there for about 20 minutes... yes the swiss medical system is very good, not cheap but good.

I had mine done in Zurich last winter, only for a leg though. Did not notice it was small, but very loud even with the ear protectors. Lady doctor came out with results claiming I certainy need an operation on the knie
Likely my doctor did not see any need for a surgery and he was right !!
P.S. could it be that there are diffrent sizes to fit people in?

MRIs are overrated. They are pointless most of the time. You have a better change of getting something useful out of MRSA in British hospitals

I really don't think they're overrated. First of all the technology is amazing (and very swiss).

Getting daily access to some of high powered NMRs is something I can really only get here in Zürich.

Being able to show up to a Dr. in the morning and getting a MRI before the day is over to confirm no brain damage or tumor by just showing a 'healthcard' is a luxury I miss from Canada.

At about $1-3mil a pop, what do you think?

Not my most favorite exam, but less invasive than actually opening up the brain to take a looky (among one of the organs I've had scanned).

QUOTE: "MRIs are overrated. They are pointless most of the time. You have a better change of getting something useful out of MRSA in British hospitals"

What do you mean? You mean people get staph infections? If they get sick after being in the machine it is because of insufficient cleaning.

You can not blame the MRI technique for this. MRI is fantastic in my opinion.

How is an MRI overrated? It confirmed that I messed my back up pretty badly and gave my physio a very clear indication of how to treat my problems rather than her guessing. A very useful piece of kit

Could you quantify this at all ? MRI's for knee surgery are vital in revealing articular and ligament damage.

If you can't I will have to assume your a bit thick.

What a totally misinformed and useless post. Do you even know what MRI and MRSA mean? Because from your post, it doesn't appear so.

I've had 3 MRIs since I've been in CH, the 1st 2 in the conventional "tube", the last 1 I was lying on a round "table", with a large saucer shaped contraption hovering just above me.

How much was the bill to the insurance?

Who, me?
Can't remember, but all 3 were due to unrelated illnesses/accidents. All I remember is that the 1st 2 easily ate up my 1500.- franchise (amongst all the otehr treatments) and the 3rd was after my skiing accident so was paid for out of my employer's accident insurance.

Coming back to "overrated"; MRI was able to diagnose the extent of the osteoarthritis in my hip, to rule out any physical/mechanical problems when I had week-long headaches and vomiting, and to diagnose the extent of the fracture in my shoulder after my skiing dislocation.

The MRI is a wonder of modern science, computing and medicine. Its like saying the space shuttle is overrated, or that the moon landing was a conspriacy. Sure its only a tool, and the tool can be miss-used but the technology itself is beyond reproach.

Why was I groaned at for this?

Because you edited it maybe? W@nker.

I think thats probably all we need. Your not as quick as you think young jimmy-me-lad.