3 Tesla MRI in Oujda: when is it prescribed?
indications, procedure and coverage.

The figures "1.5T" and "3T" indicate the magnetic field strength. At 3 Tesla, the signal is roughly twice as high as at 1.5 Tesla, which translates into:

• finer spatial resolution (sub-millimetric);
• better detection of small lesions (brain, prostate, breast, joints);
• often shorter acquisition time for equivalent quality.

At Clinique Achark in Oujda, 3 Tesla MRI is preferred for neurological, onco-pelvic and fine musculoskeletal indications.

• Brain: stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumours, work-up of atypical headache, epilepsy.
• Spinal cord / spine: resistant sciatica, herniated disc, suspected tumour, trauma.
• Breast: pre-operative staging, surveillance of high-risk patients (BRCA1/BRCA2).
• Prostate: multiparametric MRI for detection and characterisation of lesions (PI-RADS).
• Liver / pancreas / bile ducts: liver mass work-up, MR cholangiography.
• Joints: shoulder, knee, hip, ankle work-up — ligament, meniscal, cartilage lesions.

The exam lasts 20 to 45 minutes depending on the indication. You lie on a table that slides into a short but open tunnel.

• you wear a headset or earplugs (the MRI is noisy);
• an injection of contrast medium (gadolinium) is sometimes required;
• a voice gives you simple instructions (breathing, stillness);
• you hold a "call bulb" you can press at any time.

• Non-MRI-compatible pacemaker, certain neurological stimulators.
• Non-compatible cochlear implant.
• Old vascular clips (to be verified).
• Intraocular metallic foreign body (declare any prior metalwork).
• First trimester of pregnancy (except life-threatening emergency).