Article

Retrospective review study. OBJECTIVES: To identify whether it is
safe to perform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on patients who have a
sacral anterior root stimulator (SARS). SETTING: Adult patients with spinal cord
injury and implanted SARS attending the National Spinal Injuries Centre who have
had MRI scans. METHODS: Retrospective review between 1989 and 2010. The effect of
the MRI scans on the function of the SARS (Finetech-Brindley, UK) was assessed up
to 6 months following MRI at 0.2 and 1.5 T. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients with
SARS implants had MRI scans at 0.2 and 1.5 T of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar
spine, head, shoulder and pelvis. MRI examinations were abandoned on two
occasions in one patient due to radiofrequency interference. One patient's
stimulator ceased to function 5 months following MRI; both of these patients
showing complications had their MRI examinations at 0.2 T. There were no adverse
effects at 1.5 T. In one patient the SARS was removed within 6 months after MRI
due to an unrelated medical condition. A total of 17 patients showed no symptoms
that required terminating the examination. In all the 11 patients with a complete
and functioning implant before MRI at 1.5 T, the SARS was functioning
appropriately, and no change in bladder function was reported up to 6 months
following MRI. CONCLUSION: It is safe to perform an MRI scan on patients with
SARS providing the examination is conducted in a 1.5 T system.

Langue : ANGLAIS