Why is NeoVista® MRI Different?

Involvement

Involvement in the TOS community has been tremendously beneficial. We have built relationships with thoracic outlet syndrome specialists, both locally and around the country. Through our relationships, we learn what challenges doctors and patients face when diagnosing and treating TOS. While we spread valuable TOS knowledge amongst our network, we all help to raise awareness in different cities and communities.

Our partners ask questions, share their experience and knowledge with us, and make suggestions for improving TOS care. We believe this network of providers with commitment to TOS patients is a valuable resource for moving TOS care forward. We also believe that our growing network produces growing TOS awareness, which will lead to earlier diagnosis of TOS.

Commitment

We have studied and practiced TOS for almost two decades. We consider TOS a passion. And we work endlessly to improve our technology, grow our relationships, and advance our knowledge. We do this for all the TOS patients out there, including those with the diagnosis, and those who have never heard of TOS. We keep moving because we care.

Can I get a TOS MRI at any imaging center?

Yes, you could get diagnostic imaging for TOS at any imaging center. It seems that simple. But would that be the best choice for you?

First, let’s try an exercise. Imagine your daughter is getting married. Of course, you would want photos of such an important event. Would you ask your friend with a smart phone to take photos? I doubt it. Or suppose that same friend told you he had just bought a nice SLR camera. After that, he bought some lights and stands. Now his technology is improved. Would you hire him then? Or, maybe he told you he just looked up an article online about getting nice wedding photos. Would you trust your daughter’s wedding photos to your friend?

Now, let’s go to that imaging center. Would you ask for a routine scan that wasn’t designed to find TOS? I doubt it. What if the MRI technologist upgraded the study to look for TOS just for your case, without any radiologist guidance? Would that be a good study? Or, suppose the radiologist read some articles online to figure out TOS imaging? Would that be your best choice if you had TOS?

Can any radiologist read a TOS MRI?

Radiologists train to interpret images of all organ systems. They train in multiple modalities. Yet, many radiologists also specialize in one modality or organ system, and many sub-specialize even further. In academic centers, you might find a radiologist specializing in just one disease process. In this way, radiologists are similar to other doctors.

As in other specialties, doctors learn confidence in their field. Some radiologists feel that they can extend that confidence to other fields. In fact, we have heard from a lot of radiologists about TOS imaging. Here are some of the things they have told us:

What is best for me if I have TOS?

Diagnosing TOS is challenging. And good imaging is one vital part of that diagnosis. Good technology won’t solve the challenge by itself. MRI technologists won’t be able to produce good images without guidance and feedback from involved radiologists. And finally, radiologists won’t be able to provide accurate diagnoses without good quality images.

Radiologists are intelligent and hard-working professionals. Usually, they don’t have a lot of spare time. They want to read studies as quickly as possible, without interruption, to earn a living. Spending time training or supervising MRI technologists demands a lot of time. And a complex study makes their day longer. Often, radiologists trust their MRI technologists to get the best images, without requiring radiologist input. And a simple study is better than a complex study.

However, TOS is no simple disease, and a TOS MRI is no simple study. At NeoVista®, we train multiple MRI technologists for our imaging partners, and provide continuous feedback on the quality of images. We want every study to meet our stringent technical standards. And we spend a lot of time on each study to make sure all the complexity is clarified and understood. We provide teleconferencing to every referring doctor who wants to review findings with us. All of this takes time. We want to get it right.

So, yes, you can get an MRI just about anywhere. But you won’t get the answer just anywhere. The NeoVista® MRI is the TOS MRI. If you or your doctor thinks you have TOS, you deserve the best diagnostic imaging study. Contact us for more information about NeoVista® here.