MRI and stent

[Calm2]

I am currently under a consultant for Tinnitus and amongst other things am having an MRI of my ear canals and cervical spine. The following is a quote from the consultant to my GP, and I have received a copy. “I have requested the above image investigations, the patient has a cardiac stent and this may require modification depending on radiology indications.” Any ideas on what is meant by that? I am not having an mri on my heart and I don’t see connection to my tinnitus? Does this read as if the stent could be the issue and it may need replacing? Gone into panic now!

[bridgeit]

Hi Calm2. First of all, don't panic. Speaking from experience (not being medically trained at all) I can offer the following.An MRI uses very strong magnetic pulses and certain implanted devices, such as metallic stents, don't tolerate lengthy time periods within an MRI scanner. If the radiographer can scan the areas requested by the (presumably) ENT consultant to the extent required, they will do so. However, if the depth of the scan means that the timing of it will exceed the tolerance of the stent (in your case), then the radiographer will have to modify the scan coverage.

For example, I had an MRI scan ordered by a neurosurgeon that was going to take over an hour to run. The radiographer discovered my stent could tolerate 15 minutes of MRI, followed by a 2 hour break, then another 15 minutes and so on. However, the coverage/depth of the MRI scan meant that the radiographer could not achieve what was required by the neurosurgeon, even with several 15 minute periods with the appropriate breaks in between. One MRI 'sweep' was going to take longer than 30 mins.

As a result, I ended up having a contrasted CT scan instead. Those are fine with stents.

So, be not alarmed! The 'modification' is about what can be scanned given the time limits of your stent and for how long. It doesn't involve any modification to your stent.

I hope that goes some way to reassure you.

[Calm2 in reply to bridgeit]

Oh thank you for that. I thought it was referring to the stent being modified! I understand now and thank you so much 😊

[bridgeit in reply to Calm2]

You are very welcome and good luck with the scan results! 🤞

[Alison_L]

Hi Calm. I had a head MRI a month ago. It only took less than 8 minutes, so they weren't worried about my stent. But they did have to get someone along from the Pacing Clinic to turn off my ICD, and then turn it back on and reset it 15 minutes later. That all took far longer than the MRI itself! Good luck with the results

[C66t]

Sometimes stents can move sadly cardiologist should have answer re that. I recently saw Dr. Eric Berg give an "exercise' for tinnitus mught be worth a peep at his page. Best of luck with everything.💚☘