Archwire (Composite wire) | MRI Safe |
Archwire (NiTi wire) | Suggested to remove because of artifacts |
Body Piercings (and Jewelry) | Metallic body piercing and jewelry should be removed prior to entering the MR environment No piercings (jewelries) in the area to be examined (imaging area) Piercings and jewelries made of plastic (Teflon or BioFlex) are OK If it is not possible to remove metallic body piercing (jewelry) and it is not in the imaging area, investigate its composition The patient or individual should be informed regarding the potential risks, the piercing should be stabilized (e.g., application of adhesive tape or bandage) and wrapped Prior to the MRI exam, the patient should be instructed to immediately inform (through the panic ball) the L2 if heating or other unusual sensation occurs in association with the body piercing (jewelry) Take breaks (3 minutes) between high SAR sequences (EPI/DTI) |
Brackets Dental (Ceramic or plastic) | MRI Safe |
Brackets Dental (Ceramic with SS slot) | Should be removed because of artifacts in the oral cavity |
Brackets Dental (Titanium) | Should be removed because of artifacts in the oral cavity |
Contact Lenses |
Standard contact lenses do not usually pose a risk for the MRI examination but it is strongly advised to remove them Exceptions: |
Colonoscopy (in the last eight weeks) | Check whether any endoscopy clips or pill cam were used or placed during the procedure with the patient or through patient's medical records If existence is confirmed or unknown you are NOT allowed to scan Possible Artifacts Patients must be encouraged to squeeze the communication ball if they feel any warmth or strange sensation |
Dental bone screws | Remove it if possible If it is not possible make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
Dental Crowns: Amalgam, gold alloy, gold ceramic, titanium and titanium alloy, NiTi, some composites, ceramic, glass ionomers, resin, gutta percha, zirconium dioxide | Maybe artifacts in the oral cavity The patient or individual should be informed regarding the potential risks (dislodging sensations or heating) Prior to the MRI exam, the patient should be instructed to immediately inform (through the panic ball) the L2 if any unusual sensation occurs |
Dental Crowns: ferromagnetic components (Stainless steel) | Make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR <3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
Dental Implants | Remove it if possible If it is not possible make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
EEG Electrodes | Only those that are MR Safe |
ECG or EKG Electrodes | Only those that are MR Safe or those provided by Siemens |
Eye Prostheses |
They should be MR Safe Make and model merit investigation |
Eyelid Weights and Springs | Remove them if possible If it is not possible make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
Glaucoma Devices | Remove it if possible If it is not possible make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
Hip/Knee Replacements | Must be at least 6 weeks post op Make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
IUDs | Make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) Unknown IUDs are not accepted |
Ligature Wire (Stainless Steel) | Suggested to remove because of artifacts |
Makeup (glittery) | May contain metallic particles. Investigate |
Maxillofacial prostheses |
Make and model merit investigation |
Nail polish |
May contain metallic particles. Investigate |
Permanent Cosmetics | Once the presence of the permanent cosmetics has been identified (tattooed eyeliner, eyebrows, lips, cheeks and nipple-areola reconstruction) you must investigate the pigments Pigment colors (e.g., brown, black, red, and flesh) typically contain iron oxide A cold compress (e.g., ice bag) or cold wet towel may be applied to the tattoo site Remember that permanent eyeliner and periorbital tattoos may cause local swelling and pain even hours after scanning The patient should be informed of the risks associated with the site of the tattoo The patient should be advised to immediately inform the L2 (through the panic ball) regarding any unusual sensation felt at the site of the tattoo in association with the MR procedure [1] Take breaks (3 minutes) between high SAR sequences (EPI/DTI) |
Retainers Dental (Fixed) containing steel | Should be removed because of artifacts in the oral cavity |
Retainers Dental (Fixed) with fiber wire | MRI Safe |
Scleral Banding (Buckling) | Make and model merit investigation Search into the website of the device manufacturer (up to which field) Try to find information in http://www.mrisafety.com/TMDL_list.php Only Normal Operating Mode allowed in 3T Field Max Whole Body SAR < 2W/Kg and Max Head SAR < 3.2 W/Kg Highest Spatial Gradient Magnetic Field for the MR Conditional implant/device rated as acceptable up to a value of 7 T/m (700 Gauss/cm) |
Tattoos | Tattoos made before the year 2000 are strictly NOT allowed Allowed Tattoos are only those below the sternal angle and older than six months No Tattoos > 20 cm length The patient should be informed of the risks associated with the site of the tattoo The patient should be advised to immediately inform the L2 (through the panic ball) regarding any unusual sensation felt at the site of the tattoo in association with the MR procedure Take breaks (3 minutes) between high SAR sequences (EPI/DTI) |
Transdermal or Medication Patches | Allowed only if you can remove them Never remove a medication patch without referring MD approval [2] |
References |