Twelve year old Natasha Corbett was among the first children to benefit from a world-class paediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) centre, officially opened at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital on Sunday 26 February.

Two new machines at the $14 million Children’s MRI Centre – a joint project of the RCH and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute – will provide the best possible paediatric imaging for doctors, surgeons and researchers caring for Victoria’s children.

For children like Natasha, MRI scans will be shorter and quieter than before, reducing patient stress and the need for general anaesthesia. For clinicians and researchers, the new 1.5T and 3T (tesla) scanners provide a more accurate 3D image and a better understanding of a child’s body.

It will be the first time clinical and research MRI machines will operate side by side in Australia, creating an important partnership as researchers strive to find cures for childhood illness.
The centre was opened by Innovation Minister John Brumby and Health Minister Bronwyn Pike.  In addition to funding of $4.5m from the 2004 Good Friday Appeal, further funding was provided by the state and federal governments, industry partner Siemens, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The Royal Children’s Hospital.

About 5000 children have MRI scans at RCH every year – 1500 of them need general anaesthetic. The MRI images are important in the care of children with cancers, epilepsy, developmental disorders, congenital heart defects and bone disorders and assist with surgical planning.

Natasha has had 20 MRI scans since her diagnosis 6 years ago with medulloblastoma, the most common form of brain tumours in children.  At the time, doctors did not expect her to survive, with tumours spread from her brain into her spine. But Natasha has beaten the odds, going into remission after participating in a new clinical trial and enduring surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

MRI scans remain integral to Natasha’s care and recovery.