MRI and VNS - Epilepsy Message Board

valeriedl · 11-23-2007, 05:41 PM

My neuro said that I would beable to have an MRI with the VNS implant in my chest, all he would have to do would be to turn it off and they could do the test.

About a month ago I threw my back out and went to the dr and he said that he wanted to get an MRI done on me. I told him about the VNS and that it needed to be turned off. He said that he would let me know when to go in and have it done. Well for the next two weeks the MRI dept said that I couldn't have the test done and the neuro said that it could. Luckily in that time by back got better.

Has anyone else run into this situation, or even know of an answer? The neuro was saying one thing and the MRI dept was saying another, so who was right and who was wrong?

aussie308 · 11-24-2007, 04:56 PM

I don't think it being turned off would have anything to do with it as thatisn't what the problem would be. It would be the very strong magnets used in the MRI machine, it could displace the implant causing injury to the person with it. My doctor and MRI testers have both said no way, not anywhere in my body.

Hope that helps.

Travis from MN · 11-25-2007, 11:44 AM

Here is from the VNS manual, page 16

"You should not have a full body MRI while the
VNS Therapy device is in place. Additional
surgery may be required to remove the system
if full body MRI is required. You should
contact your physician before undergoing MRI."

and from page 20

"6.4.4. Magnetic resonance imaging
If you plan to have magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), make sure your doctor has the following
information.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should not
be performed with a magnetic resonance body
coil in the Transmit Mode. The heat induced in the
Lead by an MRI body scan can cause injury.
MRI using the whole body coil is not recommended
because it can damage the vagus nerve. Contact
your physician before having any MRI performed so
that it can be discussed with the MRI personnel."

I didn't know if they could "shield" it and or the leads (with the lead shields) of not. Best is to talk to those who know.

Quotes are from the August 2006 VNS manual, US version.