The Society of Radiographers has highlighted the importance of MRI safety after a 61-year-old man died in an incident involving a magnetic resonance imaging machine in the USA.
According to Nassau Country Police Department in New York, on 16 July the man entered the scan room at Nassau Open MRI in the village of Westbury while wearing a large metallic chain.
He was pulled into the machine by the powerful magnetic field and then suffered a medical episode after the impact.
The SoR, a long-time proponent of MRI safety, has reiterated the risk posed by static magnetic fields.
Alexandra Lipton, SoR lead for cross sectional imaging, said: “This is a tragic occurrence and sadly does highlight the need for robust safety procedures to be in place.
“It should be stressed that such tragic incidents are rare, when safety procedures are followed.”
MRI is a reliable and relatively safe diagnostic imaging procedure. However, the use of strong magnetic fields means there is information that the MRI department needs to know and preparation of the patient is required prior to their arrival to ensure their safety:
- Details of previous operations and dates of any recent operations
- Details of any implants such as a cardiac pacemaker; a joint replacement such as a hip or a knee; metal screws, clips, rods or pins; shunts; vascular stents; or a cochlear (ear) implant, a glucose monitoring device, or an insulin pump
- Any incidents where metal has gone into the patient's eyes
- Any other known metal in the body such as shrapnel
- Pregnancy status
- Is the patient receiving oxygen therapy?
- Any known allergies
- Method of transport
- Any current infection risk
- Do they have hearing aids?
For patients, there is information that your doctor needs to know when they refer you for an MRI scan. Tell your doctor about:
- Any operations you have had, however minor
- If you have any implants such as a cardiac pacemaker; a joint replacement such as a hip or a knee; metal screws, clips, rods or pins; shunts; or a cochlear (ear) implant, a glucose monitoring device, or an insulin pump
- If you have any piercings, tattoos, or permanent cosmetics
- If you are aware of any metal in your body
News of the MRI-related death in the USA came ahead of MRI Safety Week, a global campaign taking place from 21-25 July that aims to raise awareness of the dangers involved in MRI.
MRI Safety Week commemorates the death in 2001 of Michael Columbini, who was killed when a steel oxygen cylinder was brought into the MRI room.
The cylinder was pulled into the MRI machine by the magnetic field, hitting and killing the six-year-old Michael.
MRI safety week is an opportunity to raise awareness amongst staff, patients and referring clinicians about the safety considerations related to MRI.
And as part of its work to promote MRI safety, the SoR offers a number of publications and resources for staff working in MRI, patients and referring clinicians on the safety considerations related to the use of MRI
Find out more about MRI safety from the SoR here.
(Image: Getty/BSIP/Contributor)