How about this one?

[warnerd]

Hope y'all can follow along.
I was told by the thoracic surg (ts) not to have an MRI due to the wires around breastbone post OHS. My urologist wanted a MRI of the pituitary and when I mentioned what the ts said, he agreed and changed it to a catscan. When I showed up for the cat, the radiology tech said I needed the MRI, not cat. I talked to cardio nurse who said MRI was ok. Now I'm scheduled for the MRI. Anybody here have any like experience to share? Dave

 

[Sierra Bob]

I've had many CT Scans, MRI's and PET Scans of my chest over the past four years and I have a lot of wire there Sierra Bob

 

[Ross]

The wires are not affected by an MRI. I've had it done just after surgery.

 

[hensylee]

They told me the wires would not affect the picture - just be sure you always tell them. I guess that's so they will know what it is when it shows up!

 

[dwfreck]

I suppose since the first word of MRI is "Magnetic" that many people, including health professionals who should know better, assume that anything metal (i.e. breatbone wires) would be "attracted" to the "magnets." I've even heard it said that an MRI could pull metal prostheses out of a person's body! I further suppose that all of this is caused by the fact that many people don't know or understand the meaning of the second word in MRI, namely "Resonance" or vibration.

I suspect, but do not know conclusively, that the amount of magnetism used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is relatively small, because the imager is looking for differences in the way things vibrate in the presence of a magnetic field (to use a very crude, non-technical description).

Would any resident radiologists in the forum care to elaborate, clarify, correct and/or debunk these ideas?

 

[RCB]

MRI

MRI

MRI are extremely powerful magnets. People have died from
metal tanks crashing in to pts. Not all metal are magnetic
attributions.

 

[hensylee]

when I told them I had wires, they told me to 'always tell' before this procedure. Didn't say why, but I didn't ask why.

 

[Kathy]

I was told never to have an MRI because of my pacemaker. It makes me a little nervous to know that it will not be an option for diagnosis in the event of future medical problems.

 

[Mark Wagner]

Hi Kathy,
I have had MRI with my wires, but that is not to say yours may be different. I would check with your surgeon whom would know if the wire you have is safe. They called St Jude and checked my valve model number to make sure I was safe with the valve I had. I got the okay, and in the tube I went! I didn't find an oxygen tank on my chest, so I guess I was alright!

Mark

 

[Nancy]

Joe can't have one either because of his pacemaker.

There are other tests which can work in most circumstances.

 

[catwoman]

Question to think about!

Question to think about!

My St. Jude patient ID card is stamped "MRI compatible."
If, let's say, my surgeon had said NOT to have an MRI because of the wiring in my chest, what good is it to have St. Jude's stamp cards "MRI compatible"?
I doubt that many mechanical valves are put in without a chest having to be wired back together. Don't know if it's possible to replace a valve via minimally invasive surgery.

Anyone know about this??

 

[Kenny F]

It is possible to repace valves with minimally invasive surgery, but my surgeon scoffed at the concept. It is extremely difficult, especially with an aortic valve, and he said the rate of mistakes is high (tiny operating area) which leads to longer surgery. Also, the nerve damage done between the ribs is apparently very difficult to get over.

 

[dwfreck]

OK folks, here's a quick-and-dirty link to GE Medical Systems, be sure to follow the "Frequently Asked Questions" and "Your Exam" links from this page as well:

http://www.gemedicalsystems.com/rad/mri/education/patient/what.html

I stand self-corrected...

 

[maxximom]

I have had 2 MRI's since surgery (back and brain) they always ask if you have had valve surgery on the form that you fell out ( I have a tissue valve) The wires are NOT aa problem A pace maker IS a problem, My husband has also had MRI's after bypass surgery..also no problem with wires bein present. They did say however that you should be at least 60 days post op if you have wires..have no idea why

 

[warnerd]

THANKS!!!!

THANKS!!!!

Thanks to all for the insight. I feel much better about the MRI this Tuesday. Dave

 

[warnerd]

Had the MRI with no complications. Now the scary part is waiting for the results. Those come Wednesday. Dave

 

[Ross]

Rest easy. If they would have seen something drastic, you'd know it today! They knew the results as it was being done.

 

[Granbonny]

MRI'S

MRI'S

My PCP'S nurse gave me 2 pills to take before I went for a MRI..Had no idea what it was and only took one before I left home........When I was in the tube wish I had taken the other one..Hated it..that closed up feeling...Now, I have a good excuse ( My wires) to tell a doctor..if I ever have to have another one done. Bonnie

 

[warnerd]

Ross, just wanted to let you know I found comfort in your words. They indeed did not find what they were looking for
Unfortunatley there was something seen urelated to why I was there that could only be explained by a neurologist. I'm pretty sure they can find stuff wrong with you if they look hard enough. Does it never end
Dave

 

[Harpoon]

Hmmmm....


Ok, well THIRTY YEARS AGO my chest was wired shut after my first open heart surgery and I had an MRI, I spent two friggin' hours in the scanner too!


The key is the composition of the metal. Some have a fair amount of iron in them (I think that's what's magnetic) and others don't. If the metal responds to electricomagnetic energy then it shouldn't be anywhere near a n MRI scanner.


However, there are plenty of metals IN the scanner itself, plus they usually put a pair of headphones on you and that has metal in it too, as well as small magnets (part of the speaker coils in the headset)

Generally implanted medical materials like wire sutures to close the sternum are safe in MRI scanners.

It's probably a good idea to mention it to the MRI tech (make sure it's the tech, other doc's won't always know what's safe and what isn't) but I doubt that it would preclude an MRI scan.

My St. Jude's ID card says I'm "MRI compatible" too....