Whole-body MRI screening checks your entire body in one visit on a magnetic resonance scanner, with no ionizing radiation. People call it a full-body MRI or a total-body scan. It is the same test. At Oberig Clinic we do it on a 3 Tesla scanner with diffusion-weighted imaging. Radiologists of the Diagnostic Department read the images.
What is checked
The protocol covers the brain and spinal cord, plus the neck, chest and lower spine. Next come the chest organs and lymph nodes, liver, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder and bile ducts, kidneys and adrenal glands. It ends with the pelvic organs: uterus and ovaries in women, prostate in men, and the bladder.
Whole-body diffusion is a special mode that tracks how water molecules move in tissue. In dense growths, water moves less, and these spots light up on the images. This helps the doctor notice suspicious areas, enlarged lymph nodes and bone changes even without contrast. A 3 Tesla scanner gives a stronger signal than a 1.5 Tesla one, and that means sharper images of small structures in the same scan time.
Who should consider it
People over 50 who want a broad health check often choose it. So do people whose close relatives had cancer, people with chronic disease of internal organs, and anyone with fatigue, weakness, weight loss or pain with no clear cause. Screening does not replace age-based checks: mammography, colonoscopy, cervical smear, PSA test. Think of it as a wide look across the whole body that points the doctor to where a closer look may be needed.
Strengths and limits
The scan shows growths in organs, enlarged lymph nodes, bone and spine changes, cysts, disc hernias and signs of past strokes in the brain well. It has limits too. Small bowel polyps, early changes in the stomach lining, tiny lung spots and breast microcalcifications may be missed. So screening adds to targeted tests. It does not replace them.
Another feature is incidental findings. Almost everyone over 40 has small kidney or liver cysts, tiny nodules or age-related spine changes. Most are harmless. The radiologist describes everything, and a doctor helps you see what really needs attention, so the report does not cause needless worry.
How it goes
Usually no special prep. Remove all metal objects. You lie on your back, several coils go over your body, and the table slowly moves through the scanner. It takes about an hour, and you can breathe normally for most of it. The machine knocks loudly, so you get headphones. If the doctor decides you need contrast, it goes into a vein. MRI is not done with a pacemaker or metal implants that are not MRI-safe.
Wear comfortable clothes without metal fasteners, or change at the clinic. Leave jewelry at home. If lying still for long is hard because of back pain, say so in advance, so we can position you as comfortably as possible. Results are ready within 24 hours, except weekends and holidays.
Common questions
Is it safe?
Yes. MRI uses no radiation, so you can repeat the screening, for example every few years. The magnetic field is harmless for people without metal implants or devices.
How is it different from CT?
CT is faster and sees the lungs better, but it uses radiation. Compare with whole-body CT cancer screening.
Can I combine it with lab tests?
Yes. The clinic runs an Onko check-up cancer screening program with consultations, lab tests and targeted scans.
Do I need a referral?
No. It is a screening test, and you can book it yourself by phone or online. Bring any earlier scans and reports, so the radiologist can compare.
Whole-body MRI price
The price covers the full protocol on a 3 Tesla scanner and the radiologist's report. It is the same for men and women, and it includes all body zones. Contrast is added to the price only if you need it.
| Test | Price |
|---|
| Whole-body MRI screening (diffusion), 3 Tesla | UAH 19,675 |
| MRI contrast enhancement (3 Tesla) | UAH 2,745 |
Prices are from the clinic price list as of 26.10.2026. They may change. Please check the current price with the contact center.
Why choose Oberig Clinic
- 3 Tesla MRI, a Siemens reference center, American College of Radiology protocols, results within 24 hours.
- Experienced radiologists, including head of the Diagnostic Department Taras Matsiievskyi.
- Oncologists, gastroenterologists, urologists and gynecologists in one clinic: if something turns up, the next step can happen right here.
Address: 3 Zoolohichna St, buildings G and V, Kyiv. Book online at https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03.
