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[Sharmin]

I have just added a picture of what the SQUID equipment looks like.  It's in the gallery, reference pictures. 

[sahil]

Hi Sharmin,

A SQUID equipment doesn't really look like a MRI machine. Is it supposed to be like a MRI scan?

I know the difference between T2* and FerriScan now. But, whats the difference between SQUID and T2* & FerriScan??

Btw, thanks for the picture


\peace/

[Andy Battaglia]

SQUID is a completely different machine from MRI. Only 4 SQUID machines exist in the world...2 in the US, 1 each in Germany and Italy. Because of the unavailability of this test to so many people, I would suggest T2* as an alternative to SQUID.

For more on SQUID, see http://www.thalassemia.com/chelation_2.html

A third, very accurate method of measuring iron is through a radiologic study performed by a machine called SQUID, the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device. The SQUID or Ferritometer devices use magnetic fields to measure the amount of iron stored in the liver. The procedure is non-invasive and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Non-invasive liver iron measurements are currently available at two locations in the United States: Columbia-New York Presbyterian in New York (SQUID) and Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland,
California (Ferritometer).

[Sharmin]

Sahil,

Yes, the SQUID looks very different from an MRI machine.  The process is quite different too.  The bed inflates around the patient, then the machine is lowered to the patient's liver (which is located using ultrasound) - as the patient inhales,  then a water filled balloon is is placed on the patient to do the remaining measurements.  It is a very different process.   

Sharmin