From Jerry Mink:
Dear OCAD
A few years ago, cochlear implants became mr compatible, with some conditions but basically safe. We have put every such patient into the scanner without a problem.
My wife had a nucleus 8 put in several months ago, believing that she was good to go for her follow up breast mr- CA some years ago and she now gets annual exams..
An eager tech looked through the manuals and found that while the implant is “safe” it has never been specifically tested on patients that are prone during the exam. The manufacturer noted that the patients head would be much closer to the magnet in the prone position and says a prone exam is contra indicated>. See attached letter from the manufacturer.
Some of you work with or at cancer centers where there must be many such patients like my wife- cochlear implant getting breast mr.
I would very much appreciate to know your groups experience and what is done at places like Anderson or MSK
Has anyone actually had a problem? Do any groups refuse such patients? Did everyone know this except me?
Thank you in advance.
