The early diagnosis of a stroke is essential when it comes to reducing the chance of a patient living with a disability.

A stroke occurs when either blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted due to a block or a blood vessel ruptures.

What are the different types of strokes?

Haemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, leading to bleeding inside the skull. Treatment for a haemorrhagic stroke may include reducing the pressure on the brain and addressing common causes such as high blood pressure. 

Ischemic Stroke: An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is reduced, resulting in decreased oxygen delivery to the brain tissue. Oxygen is essential for the health and survival of brain tissue, so treatment aims to restore blood flow to the affected area.

Strokes can lead to physical disabilities, brain damage and even death – particularly ischemic strokes. A stroke requires immediate treatment. If you suspect you are having a stroke, you should call 999 straight away.

How are MRIs used in diagnosing strokes?

An MRI scan is an incredibly valuable tool in the diagnosis and management of strokes. They provide detailed and precise images (detecting even tiny abnormalities) of the brain, aiding in the early detection and evaluation of stroke types.  It is especially useful in detecting mini-strokes or small strokes which can often not be visible on CT.

A brain MRI is an excellent way to diagnose whether a stroke is ischemic or haemorrhagic.

How to get an MRI

If you need an MRI scan, we have appointments across the week, including same-day appointments and weekend availability. Our MRI service is available 7 days a week, at two locations in the heart of Central London. Learn more about our Wimpole Street and Dover Street clinics here.

You will need a referral from a healthcare professional to make a booking.

Don’t have a referral? No problem. We can help you get one with our scan referral service. You can find out more information about how it works here.

At Oryon Imaging, we pride ourselves on offering the most accessible and affordable private MRI for self-pay and insured patients, with no compromise on quality. Our service is recognised by all major insurers including BUPA, AXA Health and WPA.

Do you need an appointment today? 

We offer same-day appointments at both of our locations in Central London. Looking to have a scan today? Get a real-time view of all our same-day MRI availability, including scanner type, appointment cost and appointment time length.

How quickly will I get results?

Scan images are available immediately through our secure, online community, Connect. If you don’t have an account, you will be invited to sign up when booking your appointment. 

All of our scans are reported by our expert consultant radiologists. These reports are shared directly with your referring clinician in one working day.

If you have any questions, please call us on 020 7042 1888 or email imaging@oryon.co.uk and our friendly Bookings team will be more than happy to help.