[Evaluation of Artificial Hip Joint with Radiofrequency Heating Issues during MRI Examination: A Comparison between...

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), when radiofrequency (RF) is irradiated to a subject with metallic implant, it can generate heat by RF irradiation. Recently 3 T MRI scanner has spread widely and imaging for any regions of whole body has been conducted. However specific absorption rate (SAR) of 3 T MRI becomes approximately four times as much as the 1.5 T, which can significantly affect the heat generation of metallic implants. So, we evaluated RF heating of artificial hip joints in different shapes and materials in 1.5 T and 3 T MRI. Three types of artificial hip joints made of stainless alloy, titanium alloy and cobalt chrome alloy were embedded in the human body-equivalent phantom respectively and their temperature change were measured for twenty minutes by 1.5 T and 3 T MRI. The maximum temperature rise was observed at the bottom head in all of three types of artificial hip joints, the rise being 12°C for stainless alloy, 11.9°C for titanium alloy and 6.1°C for cobalt chrome alloy in 1.5 T. The temperature rise depended on SAR and the increase of SAR had a good linear relationship with the temperature rise. It was found from the result that the RF heating of metallic implants can take place in various kinds of material and the increase of SAR has a good linear relationship with the temperature rise. This experience shows that reduction of SAR can decrease temperature of metallic implants.