MRI ok for posties?

[bdsgurl]

I just wondered, If we have metal plates or mesh in our heads after our surgeries, how is it ok for us to have MRI's? Kinda just occured to me....

[sgerrard]

There are lots of metals that are not magnetic, such as lead, copper, gold, platinum, and titanium. Your head metal is probably titanium.

To be magnetic, you need a metal with iron, nickel, cobalt, or gadolinium in it.

Gadolinium is the contrast dye they use for MRIs of ANs, and it makes sense it would be magnetic, now that I think about it.

Steve

[leapyrtwins]

Steve's correct.

The mesh and screws used in AN surgeries are usually titanium.  The BAHA implant is also titanium. 

MRI's aren't a problem, but you should mention your "hardware" to the technician before you have the MRI.

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Bdsgurl ~

At the risk of being redundant, I'll just add that Steve is completely accurate in his comments regarding the types of metal post-op AN patients carry in their skull.  Titanium is non-ferromagnetic, making it relatively impervious to the electromagnetic field in the MRI unit.  Jan has a good point, too.  Most MRI centers will ask about you about any metal implants being present anywhere in your body (dental implants, artificial knees, hip joints, etc) but if they don't, I would definitely mention it before going into the MRI unit.  The titanium in your skull won't cause any problems - but the MRI tech would probably like to know about it, beforehand. 

Jim