What Does a Whole Body MRI Actually Include? A Clear Guide to Your Internal Health Scan

What Does a Whole Body MRI Actually Include? A Clear Guide to Your Internal Health Scan

When people hear the term “Whole Body MRI”, it’s easy to assume it scans absolutely everything — from your head right down to your joints.

In reality, a Whole Body MRI is designed to do something incredibly powerful:
provide a detailed internal overview of your major organs and body systems in a single scan.

At New Horizons Imaging Limited, our approach is focused on delivering a comprehensive internal screening that helps identify potential issues early — often before symptoms appear.

What Is a Whole Body MRI?

A Whole Body MRI is a non-invasive, radiation-free scan that creates detailed images of your internal organs and soft tissues.

Unlike a routine MRI that focuses on one specific area, this scan provides a broad, high-resolution view across your core body, helping to detect abnormalities such as cysts, masses or structural changes.

Think of it as a complete internal health overview, rather than a scan of a single problem area.

What Does Our Whole Body MRI Include?

Our scan is designed to cover all major internal regions of the body in one efficient session.

✔ Head

  • Brain structure and anatomical assessment
  • Screening for tumours and lesions
  • White matter analysis and vascular screening

✔ Neck

  • Soft tissue and lymph node assessment
  • Thyroid and salivary gland review

✔ Chest

  • Overview of chest structures and organs
  • Assessment of major vessels and surrounding areas

✔ Abdomen

  • Liver and organ evaluation
  • Detection of cysts, masses and fluid

✔ Pelvis

  • Bladder, rectal and reproductive organ review
  • Nodal and prostate assessment

✔ Spine

  • Disc health and nerve compression
  • Degenerative changes and structural issues

👉 In total, this means 10+ organs are assessed in a single scan, giving you a powerful snapshot of your internal health.

Why People Choose a Whole Body MRI

More and more people are choosing this type of scan as part of a proactive approach to health.

Instead of waiting for symptoms, a Whole Body MRI allows you to:

  • Detect potential issues early
  • Gain peace of mind about your internal health
  • Establish a baseline for future comparison
  • Take a more informed, preventative approach

This shift from reactive to proactive healthcare is one of the biggest reasons Whole Body MRI has become so popular in recent years

A Clear Note on Scope (And Why It Matters)

Our Whole Body MRI is designed as a comprehensive internal screening scan.

It focuses on:
✔ Organs
✔ Soft tissues
✔ Internal structures

It is not designed as a musculoskeletal (MSK) scan, which means it does not assess joints such as:

  • Knees
  • Shoulders
  • Hips
  • Elbows

This isn’t a limitation — it’s about using the right scan for the right purpose.

For joint pain or injury, a targeted Routine MRI is the more appropriate and accurate option.

Whole Body MRI vs Routine MRI: What’s the Difference?

  • Whole Body MRI
    → Broad internal screening across multiple organs
  • Routine MRI
    → Detailed imaging of one specific area (e.g. knee, spine, shoulder)

Both are highly effective — they simply serve different purposes.

Is a Whole Body MRI Right for You?

A Whole Body MRI is ideal if you:

  • Want a comprehensive internal health overview
  • Are looking for early detection and reassurance
  • Prefer a proactive approach to your health
  • Want to screen multiple areas in one session

It’s one of the most efficient ways to gain a clear, detailed picture of what’s happening inside your body.

Final Thought

Your health isn’t just about how you feel today — it’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.

A Whole Body MRI gives you that insight.

One scan. Multiple systems. Total clarity.

Useful Information on our MRI Scanning Service

Want to find out more about our services?
Call us today on 0113 873 1310 or email us at info@nhimaging.co.uk

Flexible MRI Scanning Pricing

Routine MRI

from

£400

TARGETED MRI FOR CHOSEN BODY AREA - CAN BE BOOKED WITH 'WHOLE BODY'

✓ Scan chosen specific body area
✓ Ideal for pain, injury or ongoing symptoms
✓ High-resolution diagnostic imaging
✓ Radiologist report included
✓ Fast appointments available
✓ Additional body area pricing available below

What can a Routine MRI scan?
  • Joints such as knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow and wrist
  • Spine areas including cervical, thoracic and lumbar
  • Soft tissues, muscles and ligaments
  • Targeted assessment of one specific area of concern
When is a Routine MRI suitable?
  • Ongoing pain or discomfort in one or more areas
  • Sports injuries or suspected ligament damage
  • Joint, spinal or soft tissue concerns
  • Follow-up imaging for a known issue
Why choose this scan?
  • Focused imaging for one specifc area/s of concern
  • Ideal when symptoms are localised
  • Faster and more targeted than broader screening
  • Option to add additional body areas if needed

Targeted scan for a specific area, joint or region of concern

*Whole Body MRI

Total

£1500

Comprehensive internal body screening across major organs

✓ Covers head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis & spine
✓ Screens 10+ major organs in one session
✓ Early detection of cysts, masses & abnormalities
✓ Radiologist report included
✓ Fast appointments available
✱ Does not include joints (e.g. knees, shoulders, hips)

What does the Whole Body MRI include?

This scan provides a detailed internal overview of all major body cavities and organs.

Head

  • Brain structure & tumour screening
  • White matter disease analysis (AI-supported)
  • Aneurysm / vascular screening

Neck

  • Soft tissue & lymph node assessment
  • Thyroid & salivary gland review

Chest

  • Chest wall & mediastinal structures
  • Major vessels overview

Abdomen

  • Liver, organs & abdominal structures
  • Cysts, masses, fluid detection

Pelvis

  • Bladder, rectum & reproductive organs
  • Prostate & nodal assessment

Spine

  • Disc health & nerve compression
  • Degeneration, fractures & cord signal

This scan covers the major internal body regions shown below.

Whole Body MRI coverage areas

Whole Body MRI coverage areas

What is NOT included?

This is not a musculoskeletal (MSK) scan.

  • Does not assess joints (knees, hips, shoulders, elbows)
  • Does not include sports injuries or ligament damage
  • Not suitable for joint pain investigations

Need joint-specific imaging? View our Routine MRI options

Why choose this scan?

A cost-effective way to screen your entire core body in a single session.

  • Covers 10+ organs at once
  • Less than half the cost of individual scans
  • Ideal for proactive health screening
  • Helps detect issues early before symptoms develop

Internal body scan – not a musculoskeletal (joint) scan

Optional - Routine MRI: Additional Body Area Pricing

2 Body Areas

£600

3 Body Areas

£800

4 Body Areas

£1000

Body Area Options

Select during the booking process from the following:

Upper Body → Head, brain, neck, shoulders, arms, chest

(Head, brain, neck, shoulders, arms)

Brain
Brain MRA
Brain Venogram
Head
Pituitary
IAMs
Sinuses
Mastoid
Jaw
Oral cavity
TMJs
Bilateral Brachial plexus

Shoulder - left
Shoulder - right

Upper arm - Left
Upper arm - right
Radius-ulna (arm) - left
Radius-ulna (arm) - right

Elbow

Wrist - Left
Wrist - Right
Carpal Tunnel
Scaphoid

Hand - left
Hand - right

Chest
Thorax
Sternum

Spine - Neck (Cervical)

Mid Body (Torso / Abdomen & Pelvis) → Chest, abdomen, internal organs, pelvis

(Chest, abdomen, organs, pelvis)

Abdomen
Pelvis
Gynae Pelvis
Prostate
Scrotum

Bladder
Urinary bladder
Urinary tract
Renal
Kidneys

Liver
Pancreas
Gallbladder and bile ducts and pancreas (MRCP)

Stomach
Bowel
Colon
Small Bowel
Small Intestine (Enterography)
Rectum

Breast

Spinal cord
Spine - Thoracic

Ilium
Sacroiliac joint - left
Sacroiliac joint - right

Lower Body → Hips, thighs, knees, legs, ankles, feet

(Hips, thighs, knees, legs, feet)

Hip

Upper leg - left
Upper leg - right

Knee - left
Knee - right
Patella (knee) - left
Patella (knee) - right

Lower Leg - left
Lower Leg - right

Ankle - left
Ankle - right

Foot - left
Foot - right

Toes - left
Toes - right

Spine - Lower Back (Lumbar)

Any questions?
Get in touch today to find out how
New Horizons Imaging can help you.

Contact NH Imaging Today today to find out more
Call us today on 0113 873 1310 or email us at info@nhimaging.co.uk