Cochlear implants as a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging poses little risk to the majority of patients undergoing scanning. However, cochlear implantation should pose a contraindication to this imaging process. This conclusion is based on several findings of in vitro testing of three cochlear implants: the 3M/House and 3M/Vienna designs and the Nucleus device. Specifically, tremendous torques are generated by each of these devices when they are introduced into the coil of a magnetic resonance imager; in addition, the 3M products not only were noted to induce an electrical current, but also were significantly magnetized and rendered afunctional. The clinical implications are discussed.