Safety Measures for Metallic Implants in the Human Body during MRI Examinations

Abstract

　When patients with implanted devices are referred to MRI examination, radiologists have to check if it is safe to perform the examination along with these medical devices. Most of the latest implants consist of non-magnetic materials, which do not create a contra-indication for the MRI. However, in the case of the patients with “MR conditional” implants, a specific MRI environment, such as a magnetic field and a scan parameter, is required. In addition, the specified condition for MRI varies with each device. Therefore, this makes it difficult for the radiologists to modify the MRI environment for each patient.

　In addition to this check of the implanted device at the timing of referral to MRI examination, the radiologist who is responsible for the examination has to confirm the scan safety before the examination.

　MRI scan for patients with implanted medical devices that are contraindicated for the examination should be avoided. However, unnecessary cancellation of the examination owing to insufficient information regarding the medical devices should also be avoided.