Mri Concerns.?
A friend of mine is soon having an MRI because they injured their shoulder.
They have many allergies and have already experienced anaphylaxis from a bee sting in the past. They told me they already spoke to their doctor as far as contrast material, and they were told that only distilled water will be used. Is that possible — distilled water with nothing mixed to it? Also, my friend had two major brain surgeries a couple of years ago, and the doctors said the MRI might cause problems because of that, but apparently that’s the only test they’re willing to perform.
My friend was also told to take 5 mg of valium 30 minutes prior to the test, and such dosage of diazepam always literally knocks them unconscious for hours. They suffer from arrythmias and used to take blood thinners in the past.
Is there any real expert in the medical field who could tell me anything useful I might want to let my friend know before they go in for the test?
Thank you.
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I have never used distilled water as a contrast agent in MRI. The contrast used in MRI is Gadolinium, and allergic reactions are VERY, VERY rare….if fact so rare, that in over 13 years, I have never seen one. The contrast used in x-ray or CT scanning has a much higher allergic reaction rate. Also, contrast is not injected intravenously for MRIs of the shoulder. If contrast is used (and it usually isn’t), it is injected directly into the joint space. Intra-articular injections have an even lower allergic reaction rate than the IV injections.
The only metal left in the brain, which is a contra-indication to MRI, would be certain type of brain aneurysm clips. If your friend has a metal plate or metal staples, a MRI can still be performed with no problem. My boyfriend had a huge meningioma removed from his brain. The next day, they did a new baseline brain MRI. The plates and staples caused an artifact on the images (but if his shoulder was the part being imaged, there would be no artifact), but they did not injure him or the machine. I routinely do MRIs on patients with certain type of medical implants in their bodies. Most of these implants are made of titanium, which is not attracted to nor affected by the magnet.
The only reason to take Valium would be if your friend is claustrophobic. If your friend had two brain surgeries in the past, he more than likely has experienced MRIs. Was he able to get through those scans without medication?
The MRI technologist is always in direct visual and audible contact with the patient at all times. If your friend starts experiencing a problem, all he/she needs to do is speak up! When we talk to the patient between sequences, and the patient does not answer us, we are required to go in the scan room to check on them.
EDIT: Upon thinking about this further, when we inject the Gad into the shoulder joint, we do mix it with sterile water. I forgot about that….darn brain cramps!
RELAX!!!! The is going for MRI which is the most basic kind of scanning there is.
When they MRI’d my knee nothing was used as a contrast material, from what I remember. I don’t see why they’d need that unless they’re trying to image internal organs. For a shoulder, where they are presumably trying to view muscle tissue and bone, I don’t think they’ll need anything.
The valium is completely unnecessary. Some people have panic attacks because the machine surrounds you, and doctors often recommend something to “calm the nerves” but it’s completely unnecessary for most people who haven’t already shown a history of panic attacks or claustrophobia.
Unless there is some sort of metal left in your friend’s brain from the surgery, there’s not too much concern there either. I suppose the magnetic pulses could trigger some sort of seizure, but that would be very unlikely. Tell your friend to talk to another doctor, specifically the one who did the brain surgery, to find out the likelihood of any side effects of the MRI.
If an MR exam requires contrast administration (i.e. gadolinium), a physician must be on premises trained in recognizing and treating anaphylactoid reactions. I’ve never heard of distilled water being used, even in MR arthrography if solely for the distention of the joint. The incidence of serious anaphylactoid reactions to gadolinium is exceedingly small.