MRI post-ADR?

[Tatonka_usn]

After reading much material on ADR, a question popped into my noggin' that left me a bit perplexed. I know that once metal has been implanted into the body the option of using MRI's is supposed to go away. That said, I seem to recall folks who have mentioned having had this diagnostic test ("the gold standard") even after going through with a disc relacement. Tt may not seem like a big deal, and may have even been mentioned somewhere around here, but I was wondering if someone can give me the cliff notes (i.e. yes/no answer)? Thanks!!

Alan

[scduggan]

Hey Alan,
I do not have an artificial disc yet. I did find an article about this:

pssjournal.com It will let you do a search without having to sign in.

"Spine imaging after Lumbar Disc Replacement: pitfalls and current recommendations"

Not a lot of info. It seems like I have seen others receive and MRI after ADR. I think I am starting to get everyone mixed up.
CD

[Harrison]

Here's one of many topics on this from this forum:

MRI after Prestige ADR

Hope this helps...

[2cool4U]

Originally Posted by Tatonka_usn

After reading much material on ADR, a question popped into my noggin' that left me a bit perplexed. I know that once metal has been implanted into the body the option of using MRI's is supposed to go away. That said, I seem to recall folks who have mentioned having had this diagnostic test ("the gold standard") even after going through with a disc relacement. Tt may not seem like a big deal, and may have even been mentioned somewhere around here, but I was wondering if someone can give me the cliff notes (i.e. yes/no answer)? Thanks!!

Alan

Harrison has provided a useful link. I would like to add that it's a common myth that you can't undergo MRI if you have metal. It's just not true. I can't believe how many doctors and patients believe this. There are a few absolute contraindications to MRI. A pacemaker is a no-no, as it will lose its programming due to the magnetic field. An intracranial (brain) aneurysm clip is almost always a no, although newer clips are MRI safe, but it must be documented. Most implantable devices (stimulators, pumps, cochlear implants) will be wiped out by the magnetic field.

Otherwise, metal only affects the quality of the images right around the area where it lies. Cardiac stents, artificial joints, surgical clips from any type of surgery, penile prostheses, gallbladder clips, etc are not reasons to avoid MRI. When in doubt, ask your local radiologist, not your treating physicians.

One other comment about that link: There is not a 1/2000 risk of brain cancer from CT scans. Research is ongoing regarding the overall increase in malignancies in large populations due to diagnostic radiation exposure. Some have preliminarily calculated the risks, and I have provided one link below. The topic cannot be simplified. The baseline incidence of malignancy in a group must be known. In addition, it is horrifically overly simplistic to say CT increases brain cancer. In the linked discussion, the posters are discussing CT myelography. In lumbar CT, there is very little radiation exposure to the head. The types of malignancies that may have very slightly increased risk will depend on what body parts the patient has had examined. Try searching "increased risk of malignancy due to diagnostic xrays" or substitute "CT" for "xrays" and read some of the links to get an idea of how complex the issue is.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0331091244.htm

-tc-

[ans]

TC rocks! What an answer.

[Tatonka_usn]

Thanks Harrison & TC. I was familiar with the concept of artifacts as a result of having implanted metal, but wasn't sure if there was an exclusion criteria for the MRI process itself. Glad to hear that it still proves useful (even to a degree) after an ADR.