- Establish the specific implant the patient has and then check its MRI conditionality status.
- This is likely to differ depending on which body part is being imaged and is often available on the manufacturer’s website, or a company reps can be consulted.
- Differing MRI machine coils can also be relevant so liaison with local radiology is necessary.
- Assuming conditionality, any specific absorption rate (SAR) restrictions must then be noted.
- These can present significant challenges and often require specifically adapted scanning protocols developed with an MRI physicist
- Furthermore, before any imaging can take place device impedances must be checked with the appropriate programmer/interrogator and some devices will need to be put into a specific mode.
- In the case of the Medtronic Synchromed II intrathecal pump, stalling following MRI is well described and requires programmer interrogation post scan. These hurdles will typically make out of hours imaging difficult to obtain and many non-neuroscience centre hospitals will not have neuromodulation device MRI scanning protocols precluding local imaging.
- Reticence is likely to be encountered from radiology departments unless clear standard operating procedures have been established which include the availability of staff trained to use relevant device programmers.
Made with Bullet