Hi all,

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for good affordable MRI places in Bangkok?

My wife just had an annual check up and they found some kind of growth on her kidney and say she needs to have an MRI. They will charge 37,000 baht (Samitivej Srinakarin) which she doesn't want to pay (and it does seem excessive).

Google has led me to this place which seems to be rated.

https://mrithailand.com/en/

Anyone have any experience or other recommendations? 

When getting an MRI, the primary concern is "resolution".

I had a "cheap" MRI done for a tumor.

I then returned to Samitivej hospital, where the doctor informed me that the MRI was useless to him, because there was not enough resolution to determine what he needed to know.

What I did not understand was that the reason the MRI was so cheap was that they used older equipment that was low-resolution.

I then had to pay another 20,000 to Samitivej to get an MRI that the doctor could actually use.

So, be sure to ask the doctor what sort of resolution you need to be sure you are not wasting money.

Don't they have MR in Government hospitals? If you use private hospitals they are quick to offer their pricey services, but give no information about government options. 

That place is fine and many use it.

HOWEVER it is inadvisable to get MRI or CT with contrast outside of a hospital setting. For a mass  contrast media is often needed, and from the price quoted this is what was planned. 

 

 

I sssume this was found on abdominal ultrasound which many Thai checkup packages include despite not being recommended for general screening by any public health authority.  These frequently pick up liver and kidney cysts of no real  significance .

 

Can you post here the exact ultrasound finding?  In particular the size and appearance of the mass.

16 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Don't they have MR in Government hospitals? If you use private hospitals they are quick to offer their pricey services, but give no information about government options. 

Only the tertiary government hospitals have MRIs and there is usually quite a wait list -- so much so that many government hospital patients go to private imaging centers instead. 

 

The larger issue here s whether the MRI is really needed, and that depends on exactly what the ultrasound showed. 

Google search

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=cheapest+mri+in+bangkok&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sca_esv=1d9e97150ede0398&sxsrf=ADLYWIJB-gUmZfZsG7MK4RL5n7MSHa0RaA%3A1725349312586&ei=wL3WZu21I5zTwPAPpemb8Ao&oq=mri+government+hospital+prices+thailand&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIidtcmkgZ292ZXJubWVudCBob3NwaXRhbCBwcmljZXMgdGhhaWxhbmQqAggCMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHMgoQABiwAxjWBBhHSL1LUABYAHABeAGQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQCYAgGgAhCYAwDiAwUSATEgAYgGAZAGCJIHATGgBwA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

Just been quoted 15k baht, but that was just the head....Bumrungrad.

14 minutes ago, timendres said:

When getting an MRI, the primary concern is "resolution".

I had a "cheap" MRI done for a tumor.

I then returned to Samitivej hospital, where the doctor informed me that the MRI was useless to him, because there was not enough resolution to determine what he needed to know.

What I did not understand was that the reason the MRI was so cheap was that they used older equipment that was low-resolution.

I then had to pay another 20,000 to Samitivej to get an MRI that the doctor could actually use.

So, be sure to ask the doctor what sort of resolution you need to be sure you are not wasting money.

Most helpful thanks and sorry you wasted your money. I'm sure many of us wouldn't have known or thought about this.

5 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Just been quoted 15k baht, but that was just the head....Bumrungrad.

With or without contrast?

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

With or without contrast?

 

OH!.....T2.....??

 

Looking for tumors and SVD.....does that help?

10 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

OH!.....T2.....??

 

Looking for tumors and SVD.....does that help?

No idea what you mean bt T2. But ruling out small vascular disease and tumors would usually require injection of  contrast media.

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No idea what you mean bt T2. But ruling out small vascular disease and tumors would usually require injection of  contrast media. 

 

 

 

 

Had a few things done at Bumrungrad......amazing facilities, very professional.....but think I'll trek back to the UK for this.

 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Had a few things done at Bumrungrad......amazing facilities, very professional.....but think I'll trek back to the UK for this.

 

 

 

Your problem in UK will be really long waits for MRi etc.

 

Getting the tests here then returning to UK with test results in hand (if they show need for intervention)  might expedite things. 

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Your problem in UK will be really long waits for MRi etc.

 

Getting the tests here then returning to UK with test results in hand (if they show need for intervention)  might expedite things. 

 

 

Mmmmm......now I'll have it to give it some more thought......😩

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

That place is fine and many use it.

HOWEVER it is inadvisable to get MRI or CT with contrast outside of a hospital setting. For a mass  contrast media is often needed, and from the price quoted this is what was planned. 

 

 

I sssume this was found on abdominal ultrasound which many Thai checkup packages include despite not being recommended for general screening by any public health authority.  These frequently pick up liver and kidney cysts of no real  significance .

 

Can you post here the exact ultrasound finding?  In particular the size and appearance of the mass.

Thank you Sheryl. My wife just got home. I will scan the relevant parts tonight and post here, appreciate your knowledge and help.

Resolution thingy was good one!

Any MRI is high resolution by definition, often just an ultrasound would be enough. 

But than:

"no-no, this is not very good picture, film no Kodak, ink no shine, DVD is not TDK, envelop is not padded. Sir, you have to do it again!"

Sure thing: at Bangkok Hospital dr. receives up to 30% commish. 

The trick above is the oldest in industry, 

 

Samitivej, Bamrungrad, Bangkok - stay away from those. Houses of ripoffs

12 hours ago, NativeBob said:

Resolution thingy was good one!

Any MRI is high resolution by definition, often just an ultrasound would be enough. 

 

It comes down to "slices".

If the slice gap is wider than the object of interest, well, you won't necessarily see it.

Or, you might get one or two slices of something you want 10 slices of.

It is not (necessarily) a "trick".

Bumrungrad saved my leg.

Samitivej saved my life.

Both were expensive for Thailand.

Both were very much cheaper than the US where I am from.

Certainly, much cheaper hospitals can handle many things just as well.

I have yet to feel I have been ripped off in Thailand.

14 hours ago, timendres said:

When getting an MRI, the primary concern is "resolution".

I had a "cheap" MRI done for a tumor.

I then returned to Samitivej hospital, where the doctor informed me that the MRI was useless to him

So it's worth checking with the Dr first what resolution is required

Had an MRI with contrast for kidney tumor last year at PhayaThai.

Bill was 30k.

 

15 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

https://mrithailand.com/en/

I went to the website, clicked on "online booking", and then " Book now for Foreigner".

scrolled down to see their prices on leftside of the screen.

I am interested in whole spine MRI, 27000B here.

Yesterday I was quoted 22,000B at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. I hope there is no misunderstanding over the phone. I am going to visit the hospital today to confirm .

15 hours ago, Hummin said:

Don't they have MR in Government hospitals? If you use private hospitals they are quick to offer their pricey services, but give no information about government options. 

Siriraj is a good place to have that done in Bkk. Although scheduling is not always done quickly. If you want it fast and accurate i would suggest going to Hua Hin hospital. They seem to have a faster process and can get the MRI done in a few days. Most private companies are not cheap especially for foreigners. 

40 minutes ago, thesetat2013 said:

Siriraj is a good place to have that done in Bkk. Although scheduling is not always done quickly. If you want it fast and accurate i would suggest going to Hua Hin hospital. They seem to have a faster process and can get the MRI done in a few days. Most private companies are not cheap especially for foreigners. 

I had an MRI at Siriraj government hospital about 18 months ago. Went to the imaging department for an appointment and got the MRI the next day, doc did say it could be a two week wait. Pelvic area with contrast for 15,000.

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Your problem in UK will be really long waits for MRi etc.

 

Getting the tests here then returning to UK with test results in hand (if they show need for intervention)  might expedite things. 

I had a prostate MRI scan at Bumrungrad (about 55,000 baht), then returned to the UK with the detailed scan files which were then analysed by the UK doctors, prior to a prostate biopsy. Having the scans meant that they were able to perform the biopsy (24 samples) in both general areas and specific regions where the MRI showed growths.  Happily, those growths turned out to be benign prostate stones.

 

My investigation and  treatment was fast-tracked in the UK NHS system: Register with GP within 3 days of arrival, see GP 2 days later, hospital first appointment the following week, biopsy soon after (delayed a few weeks purely for medical reasons - UTIs).

16 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Hi all,

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for good affordable MRI places in Bangkok?

My wife just had an annual check up and they found some kind of growth on her kidney and say she needs to have an MRI. They will charge 37,000 baht (Samitivej Srinakarin) which she doesn't want to pay (and it does seem excessive).

Google has led me to this place which seems to be rated.

https://mrithailand.com/en/

Anyone have any experience or other recommendations? 

I understand an MRI is expensive.  I have had a few.  What you want is to be sure the person reading the results is 100% qualified to produce an accurate diagnosis.  This is not the time to skimp because of a few thousand baht.  BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home) on Convent Rd is my suggestion.  Am sure there are several with qualified doctors to interpret the results.

16 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Your problem in UK will be really long waits for MRi etc.

 

Getting the tests here then returning to UK with test results in hand (if they show need for intervention)  might expedite things. 

Sheryl is the go to person for medical advice on this forum. We are fortunate to have her expertise

I had 2 MRIs in BKK last winter, both at Prachachuen Imaging Center.  THey have a number of offices in BKK.

9,000 each MRI.  That's for a specific area.  I had one on the spine and one on the ankle.  BNH Hospital sent me 

there so that's a good recommendation.  It would have cost 15,000 each at the hospital.

02-953-9469 is their phone #.

3 hours ago, alanrchase said:

I had an MRI at Siriraj government hospital about 18 months ago. Went to the imaging department for an appointment and got the MRI the next day, doc did say it could be a two week wait. Pelvic area with contrast for 15,000.

The Dept. of Veterans Affairs (DVA) in Australia asked me to get an MRI covering full back and both knees. I had the MRI at McCormick hospital here in Chiang Mai. McCormick billed direct to the DVA.

 

The images were sent to a specialist medical facility in India and they provided a very detailed analysis within the same day. 

 

McCormick sent a copy of the MRI and the detailed analysis from India direct to the DVA (as required by DVA procedures). A few days later I got an e.mail from my DVA support person with a detailed message from the DVA Orthopedic specialist doctor saying:

- confirm receipt of everything from McCormick

- confirm acceptance of the professional analysis provided by the Indian MRI professionals. Included detailed commentary that there was 2 points of damage to my lower back and damage to both knees. 

 

 

3 hours ago, dlclark97 said:

I understand an MRI is expensive.  I have had a few.  What you want is to be sure the person reading the results is 100% qualified to produce an accurate diagnosis.  This is not the time to skimp because of a few thousand baht.  BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home) on Convent Rd is my suggestion.  Am sure there are several with qualified doctors to interpret the results.

 

Yeah I had a scan with contrast...... an hour later the doc sent me for a ultrasound !

You need a contrast agent to highlight things - they usually use Gadolinium. Indeed an MRI used to be a GMRI until too many patients got too scared by the name and radioactive impression.  I had a MRI with contrast (Gadolinium) about four years ago on my eye and it was fine. Though the Dr did not want to admit Gadolinium was being used until I told him I used to work in that industry.

 

Anyway you have no problems from a radioactive standpoint and I only mention it as if you say I need a contrast /Gadolinium MRI they should understand you know what you are talking about - and you wont get a dud scan.

 

The drip feeding it in my case went in a vein on my hand just down from my middle finger.

 

Hope it helps

3 minutes ago, Robbie Eastwood said:

You need a contrast agent to highlight things - they usually use Gadolinium. Indeed an MRI used to be a GMRI until too many patients got too scared by the name and radioactive impression.  I had a MRI with contrast (Gadolinium) about four years ago on my eye and it was fine. Though the Dr did not want to admit Gadolinium was being used until I told him I used to work in that industry.

 

Anyway you have no problems from a radioactive standpoint and I only mention it as if you say I need a contrast /Gadolinium MRI they should understand you know what you are talking about - and you wont get a dud scan.

 

The drip feeding it in my case went in a vein on my hand just down from my middle finger.

 

Hope it helps

 

Is gadolinium the one that makes ya bum all warm and tingly ?