Head bandaging for patients with auditory implants undergoing MRI

Article in CI Journal

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Head bandaging for patients with auditory implants undergoing MRI, highlighting the risk of magnetic puck projectile
Sean Daniel, Sonia Kumar, Rajeev Matthew, James Ramsden, Alice Roberts, Lindsay Webb, Samuel Mackeith

Abstract:
We present a case of unintended displacement of a manufacturer-provided external magnetic puck (splint), which occurred during an MRI scan in a patient with an auditory implant, highlighting the associated risks and potential for harm. Despite established safety protocols and secure head bandaging, the strong magnetic field resulted in the puck becoming a dangerous projectile, posing a potentially serious risk to both the patient and MRI staff. This report discusses the rationale for the new magnetic puck introduced by the auditory implant manufacturer to try to reduce internal implant magnet displacement. We offer an alternative technique to minimise the risk of splint slippage during head bandaging with non-magnetic standard plastic splints, with the aim of mitigating the risk of internal magnet displacement whilst avoiding the use of this magnetic puck with the potential risks of a magnetic projectile in the MRI scanner.

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