A 57-year-old
This isn’t the first time in 2023 that a firearm injury has been sustained in an MRI scanner. In February a
MRI has a long history, in one form or another, dating back to the
Around
While it is safe, there are some concerns from patients about the noise the machines make (earplugs are offered), which can reach
MRI works by applying
The
Strong magnets
One of the biggest risks with MRI comes from the incredibly strong magnets that are used because they are not selective in the objects they act on. They can pull metallic objects into the field from anywhere in the room, as seen with the previously mentioned firearm incidents, or do damage by heating the items while in or against the body, causing burning.
For this reason, there are strict guidelines for MRI scans, with patients having to undergo a pre-scan questionnaire relating to medical history and potential metallic objects to prevent injury or death.
People with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices used to be particularly at risk of harm. However,
People with foreign metallic bodies located within them are also at high risk. A 65-year-old man with schizophrenia who had ingested metal sockets and a hinge pin had his
Similarly, a child suffered bowel perforation during an MRI after ingesting 11
Another risk is the formation of a so-called “tissue loop” where one piece of the body is in contact with another creating a loop that heats the tissue to burning point. Examples include parts of the upper thigh
Outside the machine can be dangerous too
Hospitals and clinics have measures in place to limit the proximity of metallic objects to the MRI suite – but, on rare occasions, these aren’t followed.
In 2018, an Indian man
Similarly, in 2021, a South Korean man died when an oxygen cylinder in the MRI room crushed his skull after the magnet pulled it into the machine he was being scanned in.
One of the greatest unknown risks comes from bits of metal lodged in the eye. This is typically a problem among
These small pieces of metal can become dislodged or twist to align with the magnetic field during MRI scanning, leading to
Benefits far outweigh the risks
Despite the above stories, MRI is a revolutionary diagnostic machine that has benefits that far outweigh the risks.
Further modifications of MRI, such as fMRI (functional MRI), let doctors and researchers look at brain activity and observe how diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, are
These revolutionary machines are extremely useful and are entirely safe when used correctly. So next time you have an MRI scan, when clinical staff ask what seems like innocent and straightforward questions, answer honestly. And tell them about anything you think may be relevant, no matter how trivial, just to be on the safe side.
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