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Long-term effect of MRI on sacral anterior root stimulator: the Stoke Mandeville experience
L Lopez de Heredia1, T M M Meagher, M A Jamous
1National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire, UK. luis.lopezdh@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk
Study Design:
Retrospective review study.
Objectives:
To identify whether it is safe to perform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on patients who have a sacral anterior root stimulator (SARS).
Setting:
Adult patients with spinal cord injury and implanted SARS attending the National Spinal Injuries Centre who have had MRI scans.
Methods:
Retrospective review between 1989 and 2010. The effect of the MRI scans on the function of the SARS (Finetech-Brindley, UK) was assessed up to 6 months following MRI at 0.2 and 1.5 T.
Results:
A total of 18 patients with SARS implants had MRI scans at 0.2 and 1.5 T of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, head, shoulder and pelvis. MRI examinations were abandoned on two occasions in one patient due to radiofrequency interference. One patient's stimulator ceased to function 5 months following MRI; both of these patients showing complications had their MRI examinations at 0.2 T. There were no adverse effects at 1.5 T. In one patient the SARS was removed within 6 months after MRI due to an unrelated medical condition. A total of 17 patients showed no symptoms that required terminating the examination. In all the 11 patients with a complete and functioning implant before MRI at 1.5 T, the SARS was functioning appropriately, and no change in bladder function was reported up to 6 months following MRI.
Conclusion:
It is safe to perform an MRI scan on patients with SARS providing the examination is conducted in a 1.5 T system.
