MRI Safety

You may not have an MRI if you have:

a cardiac pacemaker
an implanted cardiac defibrillator
a neurostimulator
any type of implanted biostimulator
any type of internal electrode(s), including pacing wires and cochlear implants
an implanted insulin pump
a Swan-Ganz catheter
any type of electronic, mechanical or magnetic implant
an implanted drug infusion device
a metallic foreign body in the eye (if suspected, please have plain orbit X-rays taken prior to the procedure)
any type of intravascular coil, filter, stent (some are compatible, check with MRI bookings)
ear implants (some are compatible, check with MRI bookings)
aneurysm clips (some are compatible, please submit operative notes)
shrapnel or bullets (may not be contraindicated, check with MRI bookings)

Objects or Devices that are MRI safe:

(Although these items are compatible, they can cause severe distortions on the images in the area of the implant.)
surgical clips - time frame six weeks post-op
staples - ideally removed
vascular access ports
intraventricular shunt
HALO vest
diaphragm/IUD/pessary
penile prosthesis (most are compatible, check with MRI bookings)
wire mesh
any implanted orthopedic items (such as pins, rods, screws, nails, clips, plates, wires, etc)
heart valve prosthesis (most are compatible, check with MRI bookings)

Items that would need to be removed before an MRI:

hearing aids
purses/wallets
eye prosthesis
coins
any implant held in by a magnet
trans-dermal medication patches
prosthetic limb
metal zippers
hair pins/clips
jewelry/eye glasses
wigs
dentures
credit cards, bank cards and anything else with a magnetic encoding (will be erased by the magnet)
metallic objects from your pockets

Any metallic object can become a projectile within a magnetic field, posing a serious risk of injury to the patient and the technologists. To prevent any possible injuries we ask that all patients change into a hospital gown and place all belongings and valuables in a locker. The key can accompany the patient into the room.