Case report: nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with a pacemaker

Am J Med Sci. 1993 Mar;305(3):174-5. doi: 10.1097/00000441-199303000-00009.

Abstract

The presence of a pacemaker has been considered a contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The authors describe a patient with a pacemaker who underwent MRI of the head without sequelae. Spine-echo MRI was preformed with 1.5 Tesla imager using head coil only. Prior to imaging, the pacemaker was programmed to the OOO mode. In carefully selected pacing-independent patients, with a pacemaker in a bipolar configuration, MRI of the head appears to be safe provided the pacemaker is programmed to OOO and enough scar tissue has developed to prevent pacemaker or lead movement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellopontine Angle / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Pacemaker, Artificial*