MRI Safety Essentials: Navigating the Updated ACR Manual on MRI Safety

Heidi Veillette, BSc, RT(R)(MR)*

^*Medical Writer, Veillette Communications; Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Address correspondence to: Heidi@VeilletteCommunications.com

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally considered to be a safe imaging modality because it does not involve ionizing radiation. However, there are still significant safety risks associated with MRI scans. These risks include potential projectile events due to the strong static magnet as well as tissue heating and acoustic injury from the pulsed radiofrequency and gradient magnetic fields. To minimize these risks, it is important to implement strong safety protocols and provide appropriate education for patients and staff. A valuable resource for MRI safety is the American College of Radiology's (ACR's) Manual on MR Safety. The Manual was recently updated to cover timely topics such as ultra-low- and ultra-high-field systems, point-of-care and interoperative systems, remote scanning practices, and a revised limit for the MRI fringe field. The updated Manual also includes new guidance on improving MR policies and training materials. This course will review the latest updates to the ACR's Manual on MR Safety and provide a comprehensive overview of important safety topics highlighted in the guidelines. Specifically, key topics include MRI safety zones, proper labeling of devices, and the roles of MR personnel. It will also examine the safety risks of cryogen and the 3 electromagnetic fields used during MRI scanning. Patient safety considerations will be addressed, including screening methods, risk assessments of medical devices, and clear communication. Finally, unique safety considerations for special patient populations and alternative MRI environments will be covered.