MRI Contra Indications
Contra Indications for MRI Scan
Before the exam you will be asked to fill out a screening form asking about anything that might create a health risk or interfere with the imaging. Absolute contraindications that are hazardous and may create a health hazard or other problem during an MRI exam include:
- Cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
- Catheter that has metal components that may pose a risk of a burn injury car
- Some intracranial aneurysm clips
- A medication pump (such as that used to deliver insulin or a pain-relieving drug)
- A cochlear (inner ear) implant
- There are no known hazards to pregnant women, but if the patient is pregnant inform our staff before proceeding. (Ottawa Valley MRI will not perform exams if a patient is pregnant)
Surgical Material
Surgical clips (as long as they were placed longer than 4 weeks before the MRI ), orthopedic hardware, spinal instrumentation rods and most other implants can be safely scanned. However in the case of larger metallic implants such as hip hemiarthroplasties, the device may obscure the regional anatomy.
Patients who have ever been a grinder, metalworker or welder, or have had a metallic foreign body in their eye will need an x-ray of the eyes prior to having an MRI.
For more detailed MRI safety information, visit www.MRIsafety.com, which provides up-to-date and crucial MRI safety information, especially for screening patients with implants and medical devices.
Pregnancy and MRI
Ottawa Valley MRI will not perform MRI exams if a patient is pregnant.
Claustrophobia and MRI
Claustrophobia is rarely severe enough (0.2% of patients) to require sedation.
Ottawa Valley MRI Centre is unable to offer patients sedatives. If you or your patients are concerned about claustrophobia interfering with the MR examination, please feel free to prescribe the oral or sublingual benzodiazepine of your choice. Please ensure your patient takes the medication one hour prior to their appointment time and that they are warned to arrange a ride to and from their appointment.
Ottawa Valley MRI Centre is unable to offer patients sedatives. If you or your patients are concerned about claustrophobia interfering with the MR examination, please feel free to prescribe the oral or sublingual benzodiazepine of your choice. Please ensure your patient takes the medication one hour prior to their appointment time and that they are warned to arrange a ride to and from their appointment.
Some patients who have an MRI in an enclosed scanner may feel confined, closed-in and frightened. Only when absolutely necessary a relative or friend can be present in the MR system room to help create a calming effect. Anyone entering the MRI room will need to complete a precaution questionnaire and sign a waiver form. If patients are properly prepared and know what to expect, it is almost always possible to complete the MRI examination.
