Addition of MRI to SAGE Campbell Brings More Advanced Diagnostics to South Bay

This summer SAGE completed a new addition to our Campbell facility, welcoming AnimalScan and an MRI machine to 907 Dell Avenue. Its presence brings to SAGE and the South Bay another important veterinary diagnostic tool, one particularly beneficial to neurologists.

" MRI is the gold standard diagnostic test for problems of the brain and the spinal cord," said Dr. Christina Vitale, one of SAGE Campbell's two board-certified neurologists. "Some of the most common diseases that we diagnose with MRI include disc ruptures, brain and spinal cord tumors, and congenital malformations of the brain and spinal cord. MRI is also a very important component of diagnosing inflammatory disease of the brain and spinal cord, such as encephalitis or meningitis."

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, and other internal body structures. The detailed images provided allow neurologists to better evaluate parts of the body and certain conditions that may not appear sufficiently on other diagnostic tools.

"MRI is crucial to see soft tissues that are encased in bony structures (such as the brain and spinal cord), while other types of imaging (X-rays and ultrasound) do not allow for this," said Dr. Vitale. "MRI also provides much greater visual detail of most soft tissues compared to a CT scan." 

MRI may be indicated for patients experiencing back or neck pain, incoordination or imbalance, head tilt, tremors, walking abnormalities, or weakness of the body. Resulting images are evaluated by our doctors, who develop treatment plans with the pet owner. Surgery or medication may be recommended. Our neurologists are skilled in both the medical aspects of neurology, as well as neurosurgery.

For years, SAGE has referred patients in need of MRI to AnimalScan's Redwood City location. Now those in the South Bay will be spared the travel.

"Because of our growing neurology department in the Campbell location, and the ever growing Bay Area traffic, it made sense to approach AnimalScan to see if we can partner with their team to bring this technology to SAGE in the South Bay," said Dr. Julie Smith, SAGE Medical Director. "Now our patients that often need MRI studies performed urgently can have this expedited - and if they need surgery after the scan, we can do so under one anesthetic event."

	Maya, a chocolate Lab belonging to SAGE Dublin's Dr. Jennifer Strasser, had surgery with San Mateo neurologist Dr. Starr Cameron after an MRI showed spinal cord compression was causing Maya's neck pain. She is since back to playing normally.

MRI machines marketed as "veterinary-specific" typically have a lower magnetic field. Campbell's MRI can be considered human-grade. The machine's stronger signal lends itself to superior image quality and more precise diagnoses, leading to better patient care. Faster scanning also means that patients spend less time under anesthesia.