Limitations

Thursday, 03 March 2005 18:00
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Whilst MRI scan CAN be used in patients who have ?hardware' in their spine (pedicle screws, plates, rods etc.) , the presence of metal may cause significant image artefacts which make interpretation difficult.

Titanium implants produce fewer artefacts.

MRI scans can be performed on patients with a ?pump' (intraspinal delivery of drugs). However, the scanner will temporarily halt the rotors of the pump.

MRI scans have been performed without difficulty in many patients with spinal cord stimulators but concerns on the part of radiologist remain and patient signed releases are often required.

Alert: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/neurostim.html