Jeffrey C. Weinreb MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Emanuel Kanal MD, Presenter: Consultant, Boston Scientific Corporation Consultant, Medtronic, Inc Consultant, St. Jude Medical, Inc Consultant, Bayer AG Investigator, Bracco Group Royalties, Guerbet SA

1) Analyze the cause and avoidance of a spectrum of common MR safety issues, including burns. 2) Assess the most current information about the development of NSF (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis) and the possibility of other chronic conditions following GBCA administration. 3) Compare indications and contraindications for MRI on patients with pacemakers, neurostimulators, and other devices with wires or leads. 4) List the factors (including regulation and guidelines) which should be evaluated in order to determine the safety of MRI in patients with implants, devices, or foreign objects.

The major potential safety considerations in magnetic resonance imaging relate to those stemming from the static magnetic field, the time varying radiofrequency oscillating magnetic fields, the time varying switched gradient magnetic fields, the contrast agents often utilized in the MR imaging process, sedation/anesthesia and monitoring-related issues unique to the MR imaging environment, and cryogen related potential safety concerns. These can present confounding situations for MR practitioners faced with questions relating to the safety of exposing particular patients and devices, implants, or foreign bodies to MR imaging examinations. This session will introduce and briefly explain the above safety considerations, and highlight specific issues likely to confront MR practitioners in their daily practice by utilizing real-life examples. The methodology and reasoning process used to approach these clinical examples in determining risk-benefit ratios for accepting or rejecting such patients from MR exposure will be stressed. The emphasis will be on not so much the particular examples used, but rather having the attendee feeling more comfortable with the approach to such clinical and research situations in order to better enable them to appropriately address such questions in their own daily practice routines. Audience polling and interaction will be actively utilized throughout this session. This will help enable the attendee to not only hear the opinions of the presenters on the cases being discussed, but also to assess their own responses to the questions being posed relative to that of the other attendees of this session.

Weinreb, J, Kanal, E, Should I Scan That Patient? A Very Interactive Session on MR Safety and Regulations (An Interactive Session).  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/13010405.html