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| COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 13
| Issue : 3 | Page : 160-161 |
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Magnetic resonance imaging mishaps: A brief review
Shakeel Santerbennur Khazi1, Shishir Ram Shetty2, Sesha Manchala Reddy3, Venkata Ramana Vannala4, Raghavendra Manjunath Shetty5, Praveen Shetty6
1 Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
2 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
3 Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
4 Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
5 Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
6 Department of Endodontics, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| Date of Web Publication | 17-Jan-2019 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Shakeel Santerbennur Khazi
Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University, Ajman
United Arab Emirates
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_63_18
Imaging and laboratory test are vital components for accurate diagnosis of any medical condition. In the current scenario, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have dominated the field of imaging. Although much is spoken and written about the radiation hazards of computerized tomography, safety aspect of MRI hardly receives any importance. A recent accident involving a diagnostic MRI unit in Mumbai highlights the importance of safety aspects being neglected in MRI. The authors of this article have made an attempt to highlight the facts about MRI-related fatal accidents and briefly review the safety protocol and procedures.
Keywords: Accident, magnetic resonance imaging, mishap
How to cite this article:
Khazi SS, Shetty SR, Reddy SM, Vannala VR, Shetty RM, Shetty P. Magnetic resonance imaging mishaps: A brief review. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ 2018;13:160-1 |
How to cite this URL:
Khazi SS, Shetty SR, Reddy SM, Vannala VR, Shetty RM, Shetty P. Magnetic resonance imaging mishaps: A brief review. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ [serial online] 2018 [cited 2019 Apr 18];13:160-1. Available from: http://www.journaldmims.com/text.asp?2018/13/3/160/250107 |
| Introduction | |  |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used diagnostic modalities in soft-tissue imaging. MRI is considered to be relatively safe. However, hazards associated with its powerful magnetic properties cannot be underestimated.[1] MRI-related accidents are usually underreported on most occasions.[1] There is an ever-increasing demand for MRI scans, and the MRI machines that are being manufactured are more powerful compared to their predecessors, and the probability of fatal and nonfatal accidents involving MRI units can be expected to rise if safety protocols are not followed consistently.
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Related Accidents | | |
An unfortunate recent incident that hits the headlines of many Indian and International newspapers was of the death of a 32-year-old male after he walked into the MRI room to visit a sick elderly relative while carrying an oxygen cylinder.[2] Television reports stated that the victim's hand was stuck in the machine when the damaged cylinder burst, causing enormous oxygen leakage. Although he was hurried to the emergency room within 10 min, he was declared dead.[2]
In another recent incident in the neighboring island nation of Sri Lanka, a 5-year-old girl undergoing MRI scan was killed. The experts believed that the death had resulted due to escaping of a quench–cryogen gas into the MRI scanning room and displacing oxygen.[3]
The fatal accidents have also been reported from other parts of the world. In 2001, a 6-year-old boy was killed in an MRI-related accident in New York, USA. The cause of death was an oxygen canister which turned into a guided missile by the MRI magnet. The child received a fatal blow on the head, which resulted in his death.[4] This was the first ever fatal incident ever reported in MRI-related accidents.
Although fatalities involving MRI machines have been exceptionally few, nonfatal accidents have been reported frequently. In one such recent accident in a hospital in Delhi, India, two hospital workers were pinned down for 4 h between MRI machine and a large metal tank metal oxygen tank.[5]
There has been a considerable rise in the number of MRI-related accidents over the past few years. Recent database study revealed 185% upsurge in of MRI mishaps compared to previous years. This increase was attributed to the increased installation of MRI equipment and the lack of formal training programs for all the MRI imaging facility workers.[6]
One of the major concerns of MRI safety is attributed to the “missile effect.”[7] The “missile effect” occurs due to the peripheral field component of the static magnetic field of an MRI unit, which rapidly attracts a ferromagnetic object into the scanner by substantial force.[7] This kind of missile effect could have made MRI procedure a contraindication for patients with orthopedic implants, materials, and devices. Fortunately, most of these devices are made from nonferromagnetic materials, thereby not interfering in MRI procedures.[8]
Cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators cause problems to patients undergoing MRI procedures causing alteration in pulse generation.[9]
Over 600 of the 1800 equipment have been tested for the effect of MRI.[10] The list of equipment includes ferromagnetic objects which include metallic objects comprising iron such as scissors, laryngoscopes, nail clippers, pocket knives, and steel buckets. The list further includes equipment such as wheelchairs, gurneys, and intravenous poles.[11]
In some magnetic resonance systems, the stray field may decrease very quickly with distance.[12] It has been observed that an object that does not appear to demonstrate ferromagnetic properties at a longer distance suddenly be snatched from your grasp as you step closer.[12]
Besides the occurrence of missile effect injuries, there are reports of focal heating and patient burns sustained while undergoing radiographic investigations with magnetic resonance scanners.[13],[14],[15]
| Conclusion | | |
This brief review tends to highlight the hazards of magnetic resonance scanning by providing brief accounts of rare but significant MRI scanner related.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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