Intraoperative 3T MRI Scanner
In 2015 Children's Champions helped to fund the 3T MRI Scanner for our Theatres Department. Within the first seven months of its installation, this life-saving scanner was used on 1,324 patients, many of which underwent brain surgery.
In 2015 Children's Champions helped to fund the 3T MRI Scanner for our Theatres Department
The Intraoperative 3 Tesla MRI is an advanced technology imaging device funded thanks to your support in 2015. Within the first seven months of its installation, this life-saving scanner was used on 1,324 patients, many of which underwent brain surgery.
It is used to produce images of the entire body and its rapid imaging during brain surgery assists the surgeon by providing them with more detailed information.
The 3T is part of a theatres redevelopment that makes the intraoperative suite one of the most advanced operating environments in the country, if not the world.
Hesham Zaki, Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Sheffield Children's Hospital, said: “This is a massive step forward. Our new intraoperative 3T MRI theatre is full of innovations including the most up to date neuronavigation equipment and will allow us to lead on the best outcomes for children’s brain tumours both in the UK and worldwide. Completely removing tumours which were previously inoperable is now a more realistic option.”
Lexi's Story
Bubbly eight-year-old Lexis Hornsby was diagnosed with Spina bifida when she was born. The condition is caused when a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly in the womb, causing a gap. Lexis has attended hospital appointments throughout her life and had her spinal cord re-tethered in an operation two years ago. She now undergoes regular scans in the 3T MRI Scanner funded by the Children’s Champions to examine her spinal cord and attends appointments every three months at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The family even moved from their home in Cambridgeshire to just outside of Hull to be within commuting distance of the scanner at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Elizabeth explained: “To find out the scanner was funded by charitable donations was a huge surprise, we’re really thankful to everyone who made this possible. It’s made such an incredible difference to our family.”
