Some patients carry a card with information about their devices, or their doctors have it on file. Radiologists might postpone the MRI until the safety of the device is determined, or recommend another course of action, such as a different type of scan. Even if MRI is deemed safe, the item may distort the images created by the scan.
This is a greater concern with older tattoos, some of which were made with metallic ink. If there's a concern about burning, the MRI technician will provide an ice bag to keep your tattoo from getting hot. For the most part, surgical clips are not a problem because modern clips aren't ferromagnetic.
The exception is surgical clips used to repair a brain aneurysm. These can be dangerous, says Dr. Coronary artery stents, the most common type, are considered MRI-safe because they are not typically made of ferromagnetic metal.
When stents are elsewhere in the body, especially in a precarious location, such as an artery in the neck, Yale Medicine caregivers investigate before they do a scan. The concern is that the stent could migrate, perhaps opening up the blood vessel.
Safety information for each type of surgical stent is carefully researched before a scan is performed. Skip to Main Content. You should be aware of potential safety issues when you undergo MRI, a common imaging procedure. For most MRIs, you may reposition your arms or scratch your face or body in between image acquisition when the knocking has stopped. However, it is important that you refrain from moving the body part that's being imaged until the end of the exam.
Note: An MRI of the chest and abdomen may require the patient to hold their breath for a short period of time e. This eliminates blurring in the image caused by breathing or other patient motion. You may talk to the technologists or ask a question in between image acquisition.
You will know when a picture is complete because the knocking and slight vibration will stop. Various MR centers may have different procedures regarding this question depending upon the type, strength and external shielding of their magnet. All people entering the MR scan room should be checked for metal in or on their body.
From a medical and safety standpoint, if your companion is checked and cleared to enter the MR scan room, he or she may safely accompany you for the exam. Typically your companion will be seated in a chair next to the MR scanner, or they may stand next to the patient table during your exam. Not everyone needs an injection for their MRI.
When an injection is needed, a pharmaceutical contrast agent called Gadolinium is administered to the patient. Gadolinium contrast is used to make specific organs, blood vessels or tissue types "stand out" with more image contrast in the resulting picture.
This highlights the structure of the specific organs or vessel to better show the presence of disease or injury. The referring doctor provides the MR center with information about the patient's medical condition and the goal of the MRI procedure being ordered e.
The decision to use or not to use an injection of contrast Gadolinium is made based on this information and the body part being examined. If an MRI does require the use of a Gadolinium injection, a small needle connected to an intravenous line is usually inserted into the patient's arm or hand. A special saline solution is first dripped in to keep the vein from clotting. Then a contrast agent called Gadolinium is administered through the intravenous line typically about two-thirds into the exam.
At the time of the injection, a patient may feel a cool sensation going up his or her arm. As with anything taken into the body, there is a very slight chance of an allergic reaction. Only a tiny amount of the contrast agent gets into breast milk and the baby then absorbs only a small fraction of what they drink. Gadolinium is not a radioactive agent. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that Gadolinium is safe for breastfeeding mothers because the infant's dose is so small.
We strongly recommend that you continue to breastfeed your baby after the scan, and not throw away any milk. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More ». Is it safe for my child with braces to have an MRI? Write a Comment Nickname Email Message. Subscribe Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email. Popular Posts.
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