“ we don’t feel comfortable doing your MRI”

[Mahler9th]

CT....

I first worked with an engineering team supporting CT manufacturing and working on a new system at GE in 1980. Actually got to sign some DWGS on GE CT/T 9800 during final stages of commercialization.

Worked for competitor as a marketing professional... started one day after engineering school.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8555965/

That competitor to GE was Siemens... I arrived there right about the time Somatom DR was launched.

I knew the authors... Norbert was at GE when I was there as a marketing professional... as MRI was being commercialized.

Stein... Hologic. I met him as they were forming the company. DEXA...

I was responsible for CT bone densitometry product(s) at GE and Siemens during the early days. I met Dr. Stein during those days.

A lot has happened since those early days.

My first CT scan was in 1985 at U. Chicago... "after hours."

The first time I got in the bore of an MRI machine I climbed out almost immediately. The RT helped me with a few tricks so I could go back in.

Again, I wish you success in addressing your health issue(s).

[greglepore]

The screws and plates are likely pretty pure ti and non magnetic.
I understand your frustration and also their concern.

[Arizona_928]

Protons from the water within your body and spin. Very cool stuff.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by greglepore

The screws and plates are likely pretty pure ti and non magnetic.
I understand your frustration and also their concern.

This. The titanium is okay. I felt a heating sensation due to some hardware, and on the ink...

[dw1]

I recently went to a hospital for a cardiac MRI. This is a well regarded hospital, with extensive experience in visualization modalities.

I had to get special clearance for this procedures because of the metal in my brain, and these items are, I believe, platinum/tungsten alloy.

(insert metal-in-head joke here.)

A more recent chest CT (specifically cardiac calcium scan) had no similar requirements or issues.

Btw, the cardiac calcium scan resulted in a 0 score (a pleasant surprise) and the cardiac MRI was a check-up for a long-standing congenital heart problem, but so far there's no need for surgical intervention.

Doctors REALLY like "CYA" tests these days, it seems.

[gchappel]

It depends, of coarse, on the type of metal and the location.
The MRI is a REALLY strong magnet- 30-60000 times the strength of the earths field. I have seen how one can pick up a 300lb o2 tank like it is nothing. Even small amounts of metal in the wrong place- like the eye- can cause real damage. The metal can be pulled or rotated. The RF pulses can also make metal heat up and burn adjacent tissues.
I would not be upset with a center that was not 100% sure they could safely scan you, trust me they would have loved to make the money. They are trying to keep you safe.
That center may have not had the equipment or personnel to properly clear you.
The 2 pieces of shrapnel you show on that xray would not usually be a problem, if that is all you have.
I would rather hear about how they would not scan you- than hear about how you were injured in an mri.
gary

[masraum]

I'm guessing the table/gurney in this one weighed quite a bit.

[masraum]

[QUOTE=masraum;12062571]It's only a big deal if it's magnetic, I believe.

What's REALLY whacky is that with a big enough magnet, you can float stuff that you wouldn't think was magnetic.


/QUOTE]

Anyone else think "amphibious rail gun!"

Imagine being a Russian in Ukraine getting hit by a bull frog accelerated out of a rail gun.

[gary1101]

Most people do not realize that most MRI's are helium cooled superconducting magnets and are always on 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you were to turn off or quench the magnet you would have to refill the helium at a cost of about $25,000 in just helium not to mention the recalibration and maintenance costs. A name tag with a metal pin will pull away from your shirt if you are a few feet from the bore of the MRI.

[911Urge]

As a former Rad Tech specializing in performing MRI for nearly 20 yrs there are rigorous safety protocols for your safety and indirectly the staff and scanner.

Concerns of metal in the body are usually down to type and location. There is a researcher that has created a master list of items at https://www.mrisafety.com/. I actually worked with Dr Shellock on several occasions helping him perform MRI scans on various implants.

The concerns are less pulling something out of your body and more causing it to twist or move slightly causing injury to adjacent tissue, organs, nerves or blood vessels. In addition the metal can heat up do to the alternating RF signals. Even tattoo's can be an issue if ink with iron oxide was used.

Its best to get a review from experts and determine risk/benefit of having an MRI. We have on occasion walked a patient into the room slowly getting closer to the magnet If they felt any type of discomfort we walked them out. Also, if they experienced any localized heat or burning sensation during the exam it was aborted and they were removed immediately.

It may be possible to get scanned in a lower strength magnet. They range from 0.5T up to 3T with 1.5T being the usual strength for medical purposes.

I was able to be scanned with a total knee implant and post cardiac wires/clips without incident.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

WTF???

Most of it are lead pellets from, I think, an angry Cuban with a shotgun I met during operation just cause.

Please tell me you at least shot the MFer back.

[dw1]

To reinforce what has been stated in some of the comments above:

The issues with MRI and subcutaneous metal are twofold - magnetically induced movement (especially for ferrous metals) and inductive heating.

The inductive heating concern is important as it can cause extensive localized tissue damage.

The products I developed were, for the most part, rated "MRI Conditional".

[masraum]

Originally Posted by dw1

To reinforce what has been stated in some of the comments above:

The issues with MRI and subcutaneous metal are twofold - magnetically induced movement (especially for ferrous metals) and inductive heating.

The inductive heating concern is important as it can cause extensive localized tissue damage.

The products I developed were, for the most part, rated "MRI Conditional".

Several folks, and I think the site that I read mentioned that. Very cool, basically an induction stove on steroids.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Please tell me you at least shot the MFer back.

Well, getting shot put me pretty much flat on my back. As for the angry Cuban, a Cobra gunship, hovering nearby, turned him, and a few of his friends, into hamburger.

On a more pleasant note, got things arranged at a local hospital. They’re going to do some more x-ray scans and then do the MRI.

[wildthing]

I was anemic. My doctor prescribed to me an iron rich diet, iron supplements in tablet form, iron infused water, iron rich juices. Now I feel fine as long as I face North. Also as long as I don't get an MRI.

[Rot 911]

Just update this thread. The hospital would not do the MRI either. But, apparently getting rejected also allows me to jump through the next hoop to get to the neurosurgeon. Scheduled to meet with them on August 28!

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

I kinda assumed it ingested

Here's a weighted(with steel) cavity plug after a mri.

That is a CT image, not MRI

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Thanks for all of the explanations! I’ll see what the hospital has to say. I guess I should ask about the screws and plates in my neck while I am at it. The white dots by my eye socket, and down by my jaw are two of those pesky shotgun pellets.

Lucky for you, they are not near your eye socket. More around the maxilary sinus.
I wouldn't do you a MRI either not knowing whether these are steel though.
The plates are a non issue.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by masraum

I'm guessing the table/gurney in this one weighed quite a bit.