MRI burn

[Carolx]

Has anyone ever had a burn from a MRI scan?

I had one yesterday at St Thomas’ but was only in it 10 minutes, as my heart rate was too high for them to continue.

When I got home I felt very sore under my left breast.

After looking in the mirror I’ve discovered a big burn around 4 inches long.

Very red, sore and raised.

Not happy about this at all 😠

No warning this could happen.

How did it even happen?

I had a huge metal plate across my chest whilst in the scanner.

Thank god I wasn’t in there the whole hour they said I’d be.

[Carolx]

A error?

What do you mean?

[Carolx]

Yes in a hospital gown and nope no bra.

I have never heard of this either.

Very strange isn’t it.

I have emailed the hospital with pics.

I’ll wait and see if I get a reply.

[Calliope153 in reply to Carolx]

Also suggest you send a copy to your GP so it goes on file there too.

[Carolx in reply to Calliope153]

Excellent advice.

Thank you.

[Carolx]

That’s really interesting.

It says not all patients can feel they are being burned until after the MRI.

I didn’t feel the burn until I got home.

So around an hour or so after the short stay in the MRI scanner.

God can you imagine if I’d stayed in it any longer!

[Hidden]

Never had a burn myself, however they are known to be a rare possibility. There are 3 main causes of burns from MRI, and I think the most likely burn you may have - given that it’s under your breast - is called a ‘kissing’ burn. The technical name is a burn as a result of a large calibre loop. These occur when two areas of skin are in direct contact with each other and create a loop through the body that the RF travels along, with a burn occurring at the site of contact. That said, they’re more normally seen where small areas are in contact rather than larger ones, like a thumb touching your thigh if your hands are by your side. It may not be relevant, but ECG leads worn inside an MRI can also lead to burns, even if they’re certified as MRI compatible, with burns following the line of the lead laying across the skin.

I would flag that you’ve had a burn ahead of any MRI going forward.

[Carolx in reply to Hidden]

Yes I agree Charlie.

It’s a very straight burn, so I thought it may be the ecg wires, as that’s exactly where they were lying on my skin.

Just my luck to be on the receiving end of such a rare occurrence.

Thank you for your response.

[Smarticus]

My 10 pence, its not a "kissing burn" as you would most likely have two. It looks like mutual induction coupling from the ECG leads. HTH

Edit, see this artice ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... HTH

[Carolx in reply to Smarticus]

Smarticus I actually read that article last night when I discovered the burn and googled it.

Makes more sense.

Thank you for your response.

[Carolx]

Ah I see.

No worries.......you didn’t scare me, I was just curious what you meant.

Thank you.

[Ads568]

Hi Carolx,

Gosh! That looks sore! It’s good that you’ve contacted the hospital, with pics. Not least because you need an explanation, but also most importantly to know how they now plan to get the info they need regarding your treatment going forward.

Please keep us updated.

Hope it heals soon & isn’t too sore.

Best wishes.

Adsterp.

[Carolx in reply to Ads568]

Good morning

It was sore but not too bad now.

Hopefully I’ll hear from them tomorrow.

Amazing that can happen after 10 minutes!

I have done a bit of research and seen they do open MRI scanners.

I have a telephone appointment Monday evening with my GP to discuss being referred for one of these.

After my bad experience with the one I had (or nearly had) Friday, I can’t do that again.

I’d be just as anxious and the same thing will happen again re heart rate too high and now I’m afraid I’ll get burned again!

If I can’t be referred on the NHS I will have to look into paying privately but have no idea how much they are.

If it’s too expensive, I’ll just have to pass on the MRI altogether 😔

Thank you for your message

[NevtheRev]

Hi Carolx

I looked at having a MRI scan done privately as I thought I was going to have to wait ages for one on NHS (that was before COVID-19 lockdown)

From the search I did it would cost from £200 but would depend on what the type of scan and what part of the body was being scanned (mine was on my head so my children tell me it was to confirm I don’t have a brain😀)

Fortunately my scan came through quite quickly on NHS in the end but having had a previous scan done privately, I think I would prefer to go private, so would happily pay.

[Carolx in reply to NevtheRev]

Thank you for this information.

That’s really helpful.

I’ll see what my doctor says Monday evening.

Fingers crossed I can be referred on the NHS.

Best wishes.

[Handel in reply to NevtheRev]

😀 xx

[JulianM]

Ouch! So very sorry this happened to you, thanks for sharing the information and you've done the right thing in the follow-ups. Don't spend money on private scans before you've had a full discussion (phone or whatever) with your consultant; all scans are not the same. There may be better alternatives for you within the NHS, and the big teaching hospitals do have the best trained staff to carry them out and interpret them.

[Carolx in reply to JulianM]

Yes I will definitely wait and see what my GP says on Monday.

Thank you for your message.

[BenThom-Wood]

No, I’ve never noticed a scar after an MRI.

[Carolx]

So I’ve had a very lengthy email from the imaging services manager at St Thomas’ hospital.

They have admitted negligence regarding the burn I suffered.

He states that all his staff are aware of the fact ecg leads should NEVER be in contact with the skin whilst having a MRI as they get hot instantly.

He is not 100% sure that the correct procedure took place to protect my skin

(I am 100% sure it didn’t obviously)

He states a cloth or paper should have been placed between my skin and the leads

(It wasn’t)

He has asked all his staff to write a statement and has logged the incident with his management team.

He will be discussing it at the next governance meeting, so it gets properly looked at and scrutinised for all its seriousness.

He is extremely sorry this has happened to me and could not apologise enough.

He assured me if I want to go ahead with a formal complaint he will support and guide me all the way.

He is ringing me Wednesday to discuss this.

I’ve also had an email from the patients and liaison manager stating the seriousness of this and he is also investigating this further.

Looks like they are taking this very seriously, which is only too right.

Would hate this to happen to someone else due to a basic mistake.

[WeaverShaz]

That looks nasty. I had one about a month ago, for the full 40 mins or thereabouts. I was aware of the plate getting quite hot but fortunately no burns. My right arm however went numb due to the straps on the plate being so tight. My local hospital has an 'open' MRI scanner but to be honest I don't find it any better than the closed ones. It is still a small hole, just brighter and since I have to keep my eyes tight shut so as not to panic, it doesn't make a lot of difference.

[Carolx in reply to WeaverShaz]

Oh I agree, just an all round horrible experience.

I’m still waiting for appointment at Kings College Hospital for one in a wide bore scanner. Diazepam ready n waiting 😂

I’ve had terrible pain in my knee the past 7 weeks, been on crutches.

Doctor has referred me to fracture clinic and they have suggested MRI.......😩

Good thing is my head won’t be in it, makes all the difference.

Not sure when all this is going to happen!

Could be a lot worse ay! 🤷‍♀️

[WeaverShaz]

Good luck. As you say at least you can go in feet first.

[Carolx in reply to WeaverShaz]

Just opened a letter.......

Cardiac MRI on 27th October 🥺

Gulp!