Dr. Tamara Zach MD
Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
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Portable Brain MRI in Scottsdale, AZ

Pediatric Brain MRI in Scottsdale, Arizona

Portable Brain MRI for Children Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System brings brain imaging into the familiar setting of our pediatric neurology office. Families from Scottsdale may be able to avoid a separate trip to an imaging facility when a Swoop scan is appropriate: Dr. Tamara Zach MD scans, reads and discusses the images in the same visit, a short drive from Scottsdale. Our office is approximately 10 miles from Scottsdale.

No ionizing radiation
MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves
On site at our clinic
Scanned where care is already coordinated
Patients of all ages
FDA cleared, including babies
A parent stays close
Open design, room to stay beside your child

Meet the Swoop® System

The Swoop® system is a portable, ultra-low-field MRI device that produces images of the internal structures of the head. When interpreted by a trained physician, those images can provide information useful in determining a diagnosis.

01
Open and family-centered
Your child lies on a comfortable bed with their head positioned inside the scanner. A parent or caregiver can remain nearby throughout the scan.
02
Quieter than conventional MRI
The system's lower acoustic noise and open design may help make the experience feel less intimidating.
03
Convenient, on-site imaging
Flexible appointments, a simple safety screening, and brain imaging in the same practice where your child's neurological care is coordinated.

When a Brain MRI May Help

Brain MRI can provide detailed images of brain structures without ionizing radiation. Dr. Zach considers your child's history, examination and clinical needs when determining whether imaging may add value.

01
Headaches
Evaluating unexplained headaches or migraines when symptoms or examination findings warrant a closer look.
02
Neurological symptoms
Investigating symptoms such as seizures, dizziness, weakness, visual changes, or abnormal neurological findings.
03
Sports screening
Selected sports-related screening or follow-up when recommended based on an athlete's history and clinical needs.
04
Shunt checks
Checking ventricular size in patients with a shunt when clinically appropriate and ordered by their physician.
Self-pay
$350
Brain MRI
Same-day appointments available

Most insurance plans cover Swoop® brain MRI scans.* For families who prefer to pay out of pocket, Rose Medical Pavilion also offers a $350 self-pay option with no insurance paperwork or prior authorization required.

Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) Schedule online

What to Expect

A straightforward scan of 30 to 40 minutes, in three steps.

01
Prepare
Tell us about any implants, devices or metal. Safety screening before the scan is the same precaution taken for any MRI.
02
Scan
A 30 to 40 minute scan with your child lying still. You can stay beside them for the whole appointment.
03
Review
Dr. Zach reviews the images and discusses what they show with you, in the same visit rather than at a later follow-up.

*Insurance coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan. Same-day appointments are subject to availability, clinical appropriateness, a physician's order, and required safety screening. Brain MRI is ordered when it is clinically appropriate; Dr. Zach considers each child's history, examination and clinical needs when determining whether imaging may add value.

Serving Scottsdale and Surrounding Communities

Rose Medical Pavilion is proud to serve pediatric neurology patients from Scottsdale and the surrounding Maricopa County communities, including Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe. We understand that traveling to a specialist can be challenging for families, and we strive to make every visit as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Getting to Our Office from Scottsdale

📍 22044 N 44th St, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Approximately 10 miles — about 18 minutes from Scottsdale.

Just about 18 minutes from Scottsdale, our Phoenix office is a straightforward drive — easy to fit around school, work, or weekend schedules.

Get Directions →

Why Families from Scottsdale Choose to Make the Drive

  • Fellowship-trained specialist — Dr. Tamara Zach MD completed specialized pediatric neurology training beyond general pediatrics, offering a level of expertise that isn't available at most local clinics.
  • Answers in one visit — Most families from the area make the drive in a single appointment and leave with a clear care plan.
  • In-office EEG testing — No need to coordinate separate testing facilities. EEG studies can often be completed the same day as your consultation.
  • Flexible scheduling — We work around school and work calendars, including early morning appointments.
  • Statewide reach — We proudly serve families from across Arizona. You are not too far.

Brain MRI for Scottsdale Families: Why the Drive to Phoenix Is Worth It

If your child needs a brain MRI, you're probably wondering whether you should stay local in Scottsdale or make the drive to Phoenix. Many families in our area face this exact question, especially when a pediatrician recommends neurological imaging but nearby options feel limited or impersonal. The good news: Rose Medical Pavilion in Phoenix is less than 12 miles away, and the expertise you'll find here—specifically with board-certified pediatric neurologist Dr. Tamara Zach MD—makes that short drive genuinely worthwhile for your child's care.

Here's what makes this different from a standard imaging center or a general pediatrician's office. Pediatric neurology is a specialized field. Dr. Zach has completed medical school, a pediatric residency, and additional fellowship training focused exclusively on children's neurological conditions. This means she understands not just how to read a brain MRI, but how to interpret it in the context of your child's age, development, symptoms, and medical history. When your child arrives for imaging at Rose Medical Pavilion, they're not just getting a scan—they're getting the expertise of someone who specializes in pediatric brain conditions and can help your family understand exactly what the images mean and what comes next.

We also know that driving to Phoenix for every appointment isn't realistic or practical for busy Scottsdale families. That's why Dr. Zach offers telehealth follow-up visits whenever appropriate. Your initial consultation and imaging appointment may require an in-person visit, but many follow-up discussions, medication adjustments, and care coordination can happen from home via secure video visit. This approach gives you specialized pediatric neurology care without the repeated drive time.

The MRI process itself is designed with children in mind. Pediatric imaging requires different protocols, preparation strategies, and sometimes sedation—all areas where experience matters tremendously. At Rose Medical Pavilion, the entire team understands how to work with children to make the experience as calm and successful as possible, whether your child is 2 or 16.

If your child's pediatrician has recommended a brain MRI, or if you're seeking a pediatric neurology evaluation, we're here to help. Contact Rose Medical Pavilion today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tamara Zach MD. We'll guide you through the process, answer your questions, and make sure your child receives the specialized care they deserve—just a short drive away in Phoenix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Swoop® portable MRI? ▼

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System is an ultra-low-field MRI made by Hyperfine, Inc. that operates inside a clinical office rather than a hospital imaging suite. It produces images of the internal structures of the head with no ionizing radiation, and it is FDA cleared for patients of all ages, including babies. Dr. Tamara Zach MD performs the scan and reviews the images herself.

Does my child need sedation for a portable MRI? ▼

Generally no. The open design and lower acoustic noise may help make the scan feel less intimidating, and a parent or caregiver can remain beside your child throughout. Whether sedation is needed is decided case by case with Dr. Zach, as it would be for any MRI.

How much does a brain MRI cost at Rose Medical Pavilion? ▼

Self-pay is $350 with no insurance paperwork required. Most insurance plans cover Swoop® brain MRI scans.* Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) and our team will confirm what applies to your family before the appointment.

Can a Scottsdale family get a same-day brain MRI? ▼

Often yes. Because the scanner is in our own office, approximately 10 miles away, we are not waiting on a hospital imaging slot, and same-day scans are available subject to clinical appropriateness and safety screening. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) to ask about today's availability.

Is a portable brain MRI safe for babies and young children? ▼

Yes. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than radiation, and the Swoop® system is FDA cleared for all ages including newborns. Safety screening before the scan checks for metal implants or devices, which is the same precaution taken for any MRI.