If you have a pacemaker, you should not be imaged because the pacemaker may be damaged in the magnetic field of the scanner. If you have metal filings, shrapnel, or ferromagnetic clips or pins in your body, you probably will not be imaged because these objects could be twisted by the magnetic field and cause serious injuries. Most new surgical metal implants are made of a high quality stainless steel which is non-magnetic. You can be imaged with these. Dental fillings and bridgework are okay.

The MRI machine is a tube (or bore) surrounded by a large circular magnetic field, which a moveable bed moves through.

If you are pregnant please notify your physician. Also patients with the following should not have an MRI: While people of all ages have MRI’s, potential harmful effects are associated with all metallic objects in a magnetic field. Therefore, you should check with your physician or MRI technologists if you have had brain, ear, eye or other surgeries of any of the following:

Cine MRI is a type of MRI where the machine is programmed to measure the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Doctors use this to see if the cerebellar tonsils are blocking the normal flow of CSF from the brain to the spinal area and back. While many doctors now consider cine MRI to be a routine test in diagnosing Chiari, some experts question it's usefulness and are reserving judgment. Return To Top.

Numerous studies have shown that even for people who have large body tattoos there is little to no potential for irritation resulting from an MRI. In the rare instance where discomfort resulted, it was localized and very temporary. Most people have more metal in their fillings than they would ever have in tattoo work. Copyright ? 1996-2007 Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, All rights reserved and strictly enforced.