"Patients are relieved to find out they have access to this technology," said Dennis Schiraldi, Director of DMI.

Not only are Stand-UP MRIs more patient friendly, they produce better results.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/yourhealthsource/stories/2009/01/11/dynamic.html?sid=101

Value Of Fonar Upright® Multi-Position™ MRI In Evaluating The Dynamic Aspects Of Chiari Malformation
Medical News Today

FIG. 6. 27-year-old woman with HDCT/CM-I. Vertical MR imaging shows the cerebellar ptosis, cerebellar tonsil descent and foramen magnum impaction responsible for Chiari brain stem dysfunction.

They reported, "Recent experience with vertical MR imaging has proved helpful in understanding the dynamic features of occipitoatlantoaxial hypermobility. As shown in Fig. 6, functional cranial settling was associated with notable displacements that included reduction of the basion-dens interval, posterior gliding of the occipital condyles, anterior flexion of the occipitoatlantal joint, increased basilar impression, and cerebellar ptosis with downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils. These displacements are consistent with the often-pronounced symptoms and signs of lower brainstem dysfunction experienced by patients with cranial settling on assumption of the upright position."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/100800.php

December 2006
Walk-in machine takes fear out of MRI scans
London DailyMail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=421857&in_page_id=1

A New Tool Answers an Old Question.

The largest medical conference in the world, held by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), is happening
in Chicago this week. A small study presented on Monday, looking at the effects sitting has on the spine, has caused
quite a media blitz around the country. Unfortunately for the public, media outlets reporting on the study misunderstand
its purpose and significance.

http://backandneck.about.com/b/a/257713.htm

Back Pain: A Human Condition
In a recent, comprehensive study Spinal Industry Analysis by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, back pain was found to be the number one reason for doctor's visits in the United States. The study points out; also, that back pain is the number one ailment cited in worker's compensation claims in the United States.

"Humans insist on walking upright. Back pain symptoms are the most common cause of disability for persons under age 45, according to US Government statistics. Back pain becomes chronic in 5-10% of the population. The cost for treating back pain is huge, and growing. In recent years, the cost has increased from $35 to $56 billion. Back pain affects 60-80% of the population; Up to 50% of the population have back pain within any given year."

View Article

THE CUTTING EDGE; Healing Hands
Virginia practice acquires the first multi-positional MRI scanner in the state.
(Orthopedic Technology Review, September/October 2005)

View Article

Natural MRI Scans Over 600 Patients with Stand-Up™ MRI since January Opening

http://www.houstonbusiness.com/mediaroom/press_release_naturalmri.html

“Tru-Scan MRI” is Rose Radiology’s new multi-positional Stand-Up Open MRI manufactured by the Fonar Corporation. The name “Tru-Scan MRI” was adopted because I believed it is a true representation of the images obtained on the Stand-Up MRI. The images are a more accurate and true reflection of the patient body in real life postures.

Paragraph 11; Page 6

From my experience, about 65% of the differences I see with TruScan MRI occurs in the lumbar spine vs. the cervical or thoracic regions. This percentage coincides with the fact that the lumbar spine typically carries 60% of a patient’s body weight. Of all the cases I have seen of the lumbar spine where the patient has been scanned in the seated or standing position as well as the supine position, I see some difference in lumbar MRI imaging on our TruScan MRI approximately 40% of the time. Basically, 60% of the cases show no variance from the sitting or standing to the supine position, but as many as 40% of all lumbar spine MRI’s may contain additional findings or pathology when scanned in another position (sitting, standing, flexion or extension).

Paragraph 17; Page 6

From my experience, about 20% of the cases that demonstrate a difference in pathology between supine and weight bearing views result in a surgical difference. Surgical findings include spinal instability, disc herniations and spinal stenosis. Non-surgical findings and differences that I see regularly include varying degrees of subluxation, degrees of neural foraminal compromise, scoliosis, and anterior disc protrusions. I present actual cases scanned in my practice showcasing these variances in this article.

Approximately 25% of the cases where I have witnessed a difference between positional MRI and traditional MRI are in the cervical spine. I have seen frank cervical herniations in the sitting position, made worse with head extension, that were not readily apparent on supine views. Remember, dependant upon the size of the individual, the human head can weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. This weight adds stress to the supporting structures of the neck and cervical spine.