Whole-body MRI Scan
by experts in Germany and Switzerland
A whole-body MRI offers our patients the possibility of a comprehensive preventive examination. Not all diseases show symptoms at an early stage. In addition, there are families in which conditions occur more frequently. With the help of a regular whole-body MRI, we at ARISTRA can detect many diseases very early. You are also in safe and competent hands with us for the continuous medical monitoring of existing conditions.
Whole-body MRI » At a glance
Duration and price
approx. 60 minutes
Upon request*
Examination
Radiation-free
Quick appointment
* Prices depend on the individual case. Furthermore, we must consider your insurance status and whether you are a national or international customer. In most locations in Germany, we can only work with patients who have private insurance or are self-paying.
What is examined during a whole-body MRI?
During a whole-body MRI examination, the ARISTRA radiologists take images of the organs, the skeletal system, the joints and the vascular system. This examination provides a general overview of the body's state of health. At ARISTRA, our specialists always offer you the possibility of unique individualisation. It can make sense to examine specific areas more closely - for example, chronic illnesses. In this way, you receive a tailor-made diagnostic clarification.
These diseases can be seen on a whole-body MRI
The list of diseases that can be examined with a whole-body MRI is long. Essential for most patients is the clarification of malignant diseases such as tumours and other common ailments. These include, above all, cardiovascular diseases. But a check of the brain or an MR angiography is also frequently carried out in radiology. The following areas and conditions can be examined during an MRI:
- Brain mass
- Arthritis
- heart check (about an enlargement)
- entire vascular system (aneurysm)
- organs in the abdomen
- Lymph nodes
- basic check-up
Whole-body MRI for modern early cancer detection
Some medically relevant tumours remain undetected for a long time because they cause no or hardly any symptoms. However, as with most diseases, early diagnosis positively affects the chances of recovery. A full-body check-up can reveal malignant changes in many areas of the body at an early stage.
Reasons for a full-body MRI
An MRI examination of the whole body is primarily for prevention.
Another reason for a full-body MRI is to check the body composition. This examination is suitable for clarifying the amount of visceral fat. Visceral fat is the abdominal fat that surrounds the organs. It is one of the triggers for cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.
Another reason for a full-body MRI is to check the body composition. This examination is suitable for clarifying the amount of visceral fat. Visceral fat is the abdominal fat that surrounds the organs. It is one of the triggers for cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.
The procedure of a whole-body MRI at ARISTRA
Stefan Dawirs
Certified radiology specialist
Stefan Dawirs is a certified radiology specialist with a particular interest in musculoskeletal imaging.
Stefan Dawirs is a certified radiology specialist with a particular interest in musculoskeletal imaging.
PD Dr. med.
Andreas Lubienski
Medical specialist for radiology
Expert for abdomen and musculoskeletal system
Priv.-Doz. Andreas Lubienski is a specialist in diagnostic radiology and an expert in abdominal, musculoskeletal, and interventional radiology. He worked on more than 150 publications during his scientific career as an Author and co-author.
Priv.-Doz. Andreas Lubienski is a specialist in radiology and an expert in abdominal, musculoskeletal, and interventional radiology.
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Jonas Roesler
Certified radiology specialist
Expert for the musculoskeletal system
Jonas Roesler completed his radiology specialist training at various large hospitals with a focus on internal medicine and surgery. One of his strengths is his versatility in internal medicine issues. He has been in private practice since 2020.
Jonas Roesler completed his radiology specialist training at various large hospitals with a focus on internal medicine and surgery.
More about
Anna von Witzleben
Certified radiology specialist
Expert for paediatric radiology
Anna von Witzleben is a specialist in radiology and an expert in paediatric radiology. She studied at the University of Cádiz and practised in various German hospitals.
Anna von Witzleben is a specialist in radiology and an expert in paediatric radiology. She studied in Spain and practised in various German hospitals.
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Dr. med.
Michael Ho
Certified radiology specialist
Expert for Peripheral Nerves
Dr. med. Michael Ho is a certified radiology specialist. He has worked clinically and scientifically on peripheral nerve imaging at the University Hospital Heidelberg. Most recently, he worked at University Hospital Zurich, among others, and is an expert in this field. He is the managing director and co-founder of ARISTRA.
Dr. med. Michael Ho is a certified radiology specialist. He is an expert in peripheral nerve imaging and the managing director and co-founder of ARISTRA.
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Dr. med.
Nikolaus Loehr
Certified radiology specialist
Expert for the musculoskeletal system
Dr. med. Nikolaus Loehr has a medical specialization in radiology with a focus on MRI of the musculoskeletal system. He studied at the University of Zurich, assisted in orthopedics at the Endoklinik Zurich, and has published and obtained his doctorate in trauma surgery.
Dr. med. Nikolaus Loehr has a medical specialization in radiology with a focus on the musculoskeletal system. He has researched and worked in trauma surgery.
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Dr. med.
Andreas Kasperczyk
Certified radiology specialist
Expert for temporomandibular joints and MR mammography
Dr. med. Andreas Kasperczyk is a radiology specialist and expert in musculoskeletal radiology, of the temporomandibular joints (CMD) and MR mammography. As head of his own practice, he gathered years of experience in the field of temporomandibular joint diagnostics, which he now successfully uses for ARISTRA.
Dr. med. Andreas Kasperczyk is a specialist in radiology and an expert in musculoskeletal radiology, of the temporomandibular joints (CMD) and MR mammography.
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Dr. med.
Kai-Thorsten Müller
Specialist for radiology
Expert in abdomen, neurology and orthopaedics
Dr. med. Kai-Thorsten Müller has many years of experience in cross-sectional imaging of the musculoskeletal system in neurology and the abdomen.
Dr. med. Kai-Thorsten Müller has many years of experience in cross-sectional imaging of the musculoskeletal system in neurology and the abdomen.
Marcel Sokolowski
Certified radiology specialist
Cardiac imaging expert
Marcel Sokolowski is a specialist in radiology and an expert in cardiovascular imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. He worked for many years at the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Cologne University Hospital.
Marcel Sokolowski is a specialist in radiology and an expert in cardiovascular imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging of the heart.
More about
An MRI is a non-invasive, radiation-free examination. This makes an MRI much gentler than a CT. On the examination day, you come to the radiology practice and remove all metallic objects before your scan. During the scan, the MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field that aligns the molecules in the body. With the help of high-performance computers, this allows the machine to produce sharp images that will enable accurate diagnosis. The MRI takes about 60 minutes and is performed in the supine position. The administration of a contrast medium is not necessary for the whole-body MRI.
Dealing with fear of the MRI examination
Claustrophobia in an MRI machine affects only a few people. At ARISTRA, we work with modern MRI machines with a large opening and a short magnet length. Many claustrophobic patients can be treated in this way. You are in safe hands with our team. You will be in contact with the assistant during the entire examination. In addition, all patients receive a button that they can press in an emergency. The scan is then interrupted or stopped. In these cases, however, a detailed and usually important diagnosis is unfortunately not made, and the MRI has to be repeated at another time.
In exceptional cases, we offer patients with anxiety the administration of a sedative before the magnetic resonance imaging. The sedative relaxes the patient, and the patient can usually have his images taken without any problems. In that case, you should always bring a companion with you, as you are not allowed to actively participate in road traffic afterwards - neither as a car driver nor as a cyclist.
In exceptional cases, we offer patients with anxiety the administration of a sedative before the magnetic resonance imaging. The sedative relaxes the patient, and the patient can usually have his images taken without any problems. In that case, you should always bring a companion with you, as you are not allowed to actively participate in road traffic afterwards - neither as a car driver nor as a cyclist.
Discussion of the findings with the ARISTRA radiologists
The personal care of our patients is critical to us. That is why our radiologists discuss the findings of the MRI with you after the examination. In the case of abnormalities, it may be necessary to perform another MRI to examine an area of the body in detail. The ARISTRA network with many nationally and internationally active radiologists ensures the best possible diagnosis for you as a patient. Whenever necessary, the local radiologist can contact the specialist for the corresponding area of the body and discuss the findings separately. In this way, you are always in competent hands at ARISTRA.
Our radiologists work with other medical specialities on an interdisciplinary basis. They can refer patients directly to a colleague in the event of abnormal findings. Our goal is a quick but thorough diagnostic clarification of your complaints.
Our radiologists work with other medical specialities on an interdisciplinary basis. They can refer patients directly to a colleague in the event of abnormal findings. Our goal is a quick but thorough diagnostic clarification of your complaints.
How often should an MRI scan of the whole body be performed?
An MRI examination of the whole body is usually performed as an initial check-up. Following the initial findings, only individual body areas are typically monitored regularly. For some systemic diseases that affect the whole body, other rules apply. A quarterly or half-yearly check-up for affected patients can be helpful at the beginning. Our radiologists clarify the individual examination interval in consultation with other specialists.
Images of a Whole-body MRI
Example animation of a full body scan
Example animation of a full body scan
Example of a whole body scan - T1 sequence
Example of a whole body scan - T1 sequence
MRI of the brain taken during an ARISTRA whole-body scan
MRI of the brain taken during an ARISTRA whole-body scan
Example animation of a high-resolution MRI scan of the heart
Example animation of a high-resolution MRI scan of the heart
Example of a whole body scan – STIR sequence
Example of a whole body scan – STIR sequence
We offer this examination at the following locations:
Make an appointment for a whole-body MRI
We can usually offer you an appointment for an MRI examination at short notice. You can request your preferred appointment via this form.