FURTHER EXPERIENCE AT THE BRISTOL-CENTER, FOLLOWING THE INSTALLATION OF A 2ND MRI UNIT

A second magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine has been installed a t the Bristol Centre, which therefore now has two systems (both 0.5T), working alongside, one being 5 years older than the other. This has a llowed a virtual doubling of patient throughput. The financial cost of adding the necessary building extension and the comparative capital c osts of the two machines, together with the differences in the cryogen requirements are itemized; as are the extra number of staff engaged. It is estimated that the new machine cost approximately half that of t he original, bought in 1987, after allowing for inflation; and that th e revenue costs have increased by only 25% in the first year, with a l ikely increase of about 45% in year two. One result has been that in B ristol, where there are now three MRI machines, myelography and knee a rthrography as diagnostic procedures have almost disappeared.