What are the risks of MRI?

 

What are the risks of MRI?

MRI is a safe and painless test for most people. People with any type of metal device inside the body should not have an MRI unless the device is certified as MRI safe. Such devices include:

• Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
• Inner ear (cochlear) implants
• Neuro-muscular stimulators such as those used for pain management or muscle rehabilitation
• Implanted drug infusion pumps
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Brain aneurysm clips that are not approved for MRI
• Some dental implants (check with your dentist to make sure they are not magnetic)
• You should avoid MRI if you have metal fragments in your body. Metal fragments in the eyes can be especially dangerous because the magnet may move the metal, causing eye damage or blindness.
• For some MRIs, a special contrast dye (without iodine) may be used. This contrast dye is considered not safe for people with advanced kidney failure.

Check with your doctor about the safety of MRI if you:

• Have a stent or artificial heart valve, or if you have had open-heart surgery recently.
• Are pregnant, especially during the first 3 months.
• Have tattoos or permanent (tattooed) makeup. You might feel some mild discomfort or a burning feeling on your skin from the metal in the darker inks of the tattoo.
• Have been told you have kidney problems