Language
Country/Area
No result found
From science to practice: How will MRI technology change our health screenings in the future?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has occupied a unique position in the world of medical imaging, as its absence of the use of ionizing radiation makes it a safe option for health screenings. As technology continues to evolve, the application fields of MRI continue to expand, and many studies have shown its potential in early disease diagnosis. However, there are still some safety concerns with MRI, particularly related to metal implants and other medical devices inside the patient.
Over the past 150 years, thousands of papers have focused on the effects and side effects of magnetic or radiofrequency fields, ranging from accidental to physiological effects.
The use of MRI needs to meet a series of safety conditions to ensure patient safety. Before an MRI scan is performed, medical professionals must carefully review whether the patient has any conditions that would make an MRI inappropriate. This includes pacemakers, cochlear implants, and other metal objects that may be affected by magnetic fields. In addition, there is still uncertainty about the use of MRI in early pregnancy, but compared with other imaging options, the advantage of MRI is that it does not cause harm to the fetus from ionizing radiation.
With the improvement of patient safety awareness and the evolution of technology, the structure and certification system of MRI technology are also constantly standardized. An intra-industry consensus document clarifies the responsibilities of MRI professionals to ensure safe procedures and quality patient care.
The establishment of roles including MR Medical Director (MRMD), MR Safety Officer (MRSO) and MR Safety Expert (MRSE) aims to reduce MRI accident rates and improve patient safety through professional testing and certification.
However, the presence of certain metal implants may pose risks to MRI, including thermal effects and movement of metal parts. When a patient undergoes an MRI, the medical team classifies them based on the type of implant: MR safe, MR condition safe, or MR unsafe. For MR-unsafe devices, additional security precautions are required.
MR Unsafe equipment can tilt, overheat, and even cause accidents when contraindicated. "Recorded accidents show that metal objects can become potential flying objects, causing serious injuries."
During MRI scanning, ferromagnetic objects may be attracted by strong magnetic fields and even become dangerous "missiles." For example, in some accidents, metal oxygen tanks are attracted by strong magnetic fields, causing casualties. Therefore, placing ferromagnetic objects near the MRI scanner should be prohibited.
Further research has shown the potential of combining MRI with electroencephalography (EEG) for functional scanning to provide more comprehensive diagnostic information, as long as the EEG device is compatible with MRI. At the same time, the FDA is also paying attention to the standardization of MRI use to improve the safety of diagnosis and treatment.
“The advantage of MRI is that it does not use any ionizing radiation, so it is a relatively safe option for pregnant women and their developing fetuses.”
As the use of MRI technology gradually expands, many medical institutions have begun to adopt this technology for pregnancy examinations. Although it is still recommended that MRI be performed only when necessary, especially in the first trimester, many studies have shown the superiority of MRI in assessing fetal malformations or other conditions.
However, for some patients, such as those with severe claustrophobia, comfort during MRI procedures remains a challenge. Traditional closed MRI scanners can make patients feel panicked, but the newer design of the scanner has a larger channel, which can significantly reduce patient anxiety.
“Although MRI provides better image quality than CT examination, the examination takes longer and the examination cost also increases.”
Faced with the growing demand for MRI, collaboration between academia and the medical industry is moving towards improving MRI technology and safety. In the future, with the further maturity and popularization of technology, MRI may bring significant changes and optimization to our health examinations.
