[Need for and predictability of magnetic resonance imaging examinations in patients with implanted neurostimulators]

With an increasing number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in the general population, there are no data available regarding the requirements of patients with implanted neurostimulators in Germany. Published data from the United States of America suggest a high need. The limited approval for MRI scans of implants are a common problem.

The focus is on the MRI needs of these pain patients and the predictability at the time of implantation.

We carried out a retrospective evaluation of the database of our hospital information system. We searched for all MRI requests for patients with an implanted neurostimulator between November 2011 and March 2019. In addition, we compared these data with the implantation of neurostimulators in the same period.

We identified 171 MRI examinations and 22 requests without a subsequent examination. Out of 294 (28%) patients implanted in our center 83 had at least 1 MRI scan in our hospital. We observed a steadily increasing demand. In 111 of 171 (65%) performed examinations, there was no association between the indications leading to neurostimulator implantation and to MRI. A predictability could only be assumed for 43 of 193 (22%) MRI requests.

In Germany, patients with an implanted neurostimulator have a high need for MRI diagnostics which cannot be predicted at the time of implantation. Therefore, only MRI-conditional systems should be implanted. The manufacturers need to adapt the implants and their approval to requirements.