anyone had an mri scan?

random456

my friend had one and had to take his piercings out cos of the heat caused by the magnets (according to the nurse) well i may be having one soon, but i have some piercings which cannot be taken out (been there over 10 years, id have to actually cut my skin to get them out so its not an option) also i have a piece of metal embedded in my back (god knows how)..does this mean i cant have one or would they take special measures?

JennyW_2

I found this information:

Are there any risks?
As far as is known at present, this is an extremely safe procedure. It does not involve the use of X-rays. You are placed in a very powerful magnetic field, and consequently if you have any small pieces of metal inside your body, you should inform the radiographer as in some cases you may not be able to have the examination. If you have had a history of metal fragments in your eyes, it is necessary to have an ordinary X-ray done to prove there are no bits left. If you have a pacemaker, metal heart valves or a metallic clip on an artery at the base of your brain, then there is a risk that these may move during an MR scan, and a different examination will need to be arranged instead. However, any shrapnel or metal sutures, i.e. stitches, that have been in place for a long time may not create a problem.

may be best to speak to the hospital beforehand.

SoozyJ22

I've had a couple of MRI scans. Both were of my neck and the first time I couldn't have anything metal on my top half was allowed to keep my trousers on with a metal catch/zip on no problems. The second time I had to make sure I was wearing nothing metal at all. So it depends on where the metal is in relation to the places being scanned, and on the hospital policy as well. I'd second the recommendation to contact the hospital beforehand for more information.

isualive

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/mriscan.htm

I hope this link helps. I had to remove all piercings when i had my scan. You should contact the hospital and see what they say.

woosh0

No problem with metal work as you will be asked about this anyway and be dealt with accordingly. Please don't be concerned, there are thousands of people with various kinds of metalwork in their body and each person is assessed individually. My daughter in law is a radiographer and specialises in mri and ct scanning and says noy to be worried but obviously as you have expressed your concerns please speak to radiology dept.

Frugal_Fox

I had one, I had to remove my piercings - but was allowed to wear my wedding band and engagement ring. Best to contact the hospital and speak to a nurse within that department. Give them a chance to pull your notes and they would be best to advise you. Best of luck

Savvy_Sue

I've not long had my latest one, and I think I had to take it all off except my rings. But really you must ring them first to discuss this, if you turn up and they don't want to do it, you've had a wasted journey and they've had a wasted appointment - and given the waiting list ...

sarahlouise210

I have had many MRI scans ..I have no peircings and took off my jewellery. My daughter had an MRI scan and I though I had made sure she had no jwellery etc...but she had her hair up in a bobble!..There was the tiniest bit of metal on this ..and as I sat at one end holding her hand - I saw the bobble fly out of her hair and get stuck halfway in the scanner:eek: best to discuss it with the hospital ..you dont want any pain from the magnetic pulling!

ollyk

yeah if the metal is ferrous then it will either distort the images or at worse could act like a projectile inside your body...



this one is really scary... how heavy are trolley jacks again?

Jay-Jay_4

OOOhhhh! What happens with metallic fillings, crowns and gold teeth?

sarahlouise210

Jay-Jay wrote:

OOOhhhh! What happens with metallic fillings, crowns and gold teeth?

I wondered that ...but I have had quite a few MRI brain scans and never had a problem with my teeth !