: How is an MRI done if you have a metal plate in your body ?

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Say you have had a fracture and metal plates are used to fix the bones . If you develop a new issue in the same area which requires an MRI scan how would it be performed since no metal objects are allowed in the machine ?

PS : didn’t know whether i had to use a ‘Biology’ or ‘Engineering’ flair.

In: Engineering

8 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

If your implant is MRI-safe (certain metals are), you undergo MRI like your usual MRI procedure.

If there is even slightest doubt, radiologists default to CT. It might not be ideal, but it is better than turning said metal into a railgun, even for metal alloy considered to be MRI safe ([one such case report mentioned this](https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-23-00004)). Different professional bodies has different guidelines, but generally if there is any doubt CT is much safer.

In addition, artifact caused by metal may cause unnecessary headaches for radiologists interpreting the results when CT could perform at least as good as MRI. So it depends on circumstances, guidelines in place (either national or institutional), and personal preference. All was put in place to ensure patient safety while also ensuring patient to undergo necessary radiology exams.

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