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Safety of a dedicated brain MRI protocol in patients with a vagus nerve stimulator
Author(s) -
Jonge Jeroen C.,
Melis Gerrit I.,
Gebbink Tineke A.,
Kort Gérard A. P.,
Leijten Frans S. S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/epi.12774
Subject(s) - contraindication , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , epilepsy , vagus nerve stimulation , mri scan , nuclear medicine , radiology , vagus nerve , pathology , stimulation , psychiatry , alternative medicine
Summary Although implanted metallic devices constitute a relative contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) scanning, the safety of brain imaging in a patient with a vagus nerve stimulator ( VNS ) is classified as “conditional,” provided that specific manufacturer guidelines are followed when a transmit and receive head coil is used at 1.5 or 3.0 Tesla. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of performing brain MRI scans in patients with the VNS . From September 2009 until November 2011, 101 scans were requested in 73 patients with the VNS in The Netherlands. Patients were scanned according to the manufacturer's guidelines. No patient reported any side effect, discomfort, or pain during or after the MRI scan. In one patient, a lead break was detected based on device diagnostics after the MRI ‐scan. However, because no system diagnostics had been performed prior to MR scanning in this patient, it is unclear whether MR scanning was responsible for the lead break. The indication for most scans was epilepsy related. Twenty‐six scans (26%) were part of a (new) presurgical evaluation and could probably better have been performed prior to VNS implantation. Performing brain MRI scans in patients with an implanted VNS is safe when a modified MRI protocol is followed.

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