Magnet dislocation following MRI in patients with cochlaer implants- management of complications and prevention

Introduction The spektrum of indications for MRI-Scans has risen exponentially in the past years. With MRIs in cochlea implant patients complications regularly occur, regardless of the examined body region, often as result of incorrect proceedings concerning the MRI regulations with cochlea implants. Quite frequently the diagnosis of Magnetdislocations is given belayed, the diagnostic proceedeings leading to the diagnosis are inconsistent.

Material and methods Between 2015 and 2019 10 Patient with magnetdilocations after MRI-Scans were identified. Included were: Timeintervall MRI-Scan-diagnosis, symptoms, diagnostic imaging, extent of the magnetdislocation, consequential damages.

Results In 50 %  of the analyzed cases the MRI-Scans were performed incorrectly. All patients reported painful sensations during the scan. A CT-Scan of the head could not show the magnetdislocation sufficiently due to metal-artifacts by the implant and lack of perspective. The diagnosis could be made reliably through an a.p. X-ray-scan of the head. Clinical findings were hematomas und step formation around the magnet, malfunctioning of the magnet, as well as magnetdislocations from the silicone embedment. A repositioning or exchange of the magnet was performed in all cases. In one case a surgical replacement of the entire cochlear implant had to be performed.

Discussion MRI-scans, if performed incorrectly, can cause magnetdislocation. Sufficient dagnostics are necessary. Concerning the potential complications and following economic and health-related complications, sensitization and education of radiologists and patients are essential.

Poster-PDF A-1635.pdf

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021