High-field-strength MR imaging and metallic biomedical implants: an ex vivo evaluation of deflection forces

Ferromagnetic biomedical implants are considered a contraindication for MR imaging primarily because of the potential hazards associated with their movement or dislodgment. Many metallic biomedical implants are composed of nonferromagnetic materials and do not present a danger to patients during MR imaging. Therefore, to evaluate the ferromagnetic qualities of 36 different metallic biomedical implants (four aneurysm clips, six hemostatic clips, four dental implants, seven prosthetic heart valves, eight orthopedic prostheses, one artificial urinary sphincter, three contraceptive diaphragms, and three cerebral ventricular shunt tube connectors) not previously evaluated with a high-field-strength MR system, we measured deflection forces at the portal of the magnet of a 1.5-T MR system. Fourteen of the 36 metallic biomedical implants were determined to be ferromagnetic as indicated by their deflection in the static magnetic field. However, only the four aneurysm clips (Drake, Mayfield, McFadden, and Sundt-Kees) had sufficient ferromagnetism to warrant exclusion of patients with these implants from imaging with a 1.5-T MR system because of the possibility of movement or displacement. The calculated deflection forces for these aneurysm clips were comparable with previously reported values of certain aneurysm clips that have been designated to present a risk for patients undergoing MR imaging. Patients with 32 of 36 metallic biomedical implants tested can be safely imaged with high-field-strength MR systems.