TWO CASES OF MRI-INDUCED SKIN BURNS

Abstract

Materials and methods: Both cases were imaged using a GE Optima™ MR450w 1.5T scanner. A combination of anterior and posterior arrays were used. In both cases, patients were placed in the headfi rst prone position. Results and discussion: In the fi rst case, there was a red area on the skin and a white blister appeared after 15 minutes. A closed conducting loop was created in the patient’s body, which caused increased local temperature at the junction of her thighs. We could prevent this by using insulation, such as foam pads, which is one of eight steps for preventing MRI-induced skin burns. In the second case, there were red spots on the skin of the left and right thighs at the contact of the scrotum where a white blister appeared after 15 minutes. This could not have been prevented, even if we considered all the steps for preventing MRI-induced skin burns. Conclusion: I reported a case of burns on a small area of skin at the junction of the patient’s thighs, which we could have prevented by using insulation pads, and a case of burns on the skin at the contact of the scrotum, which we could not have prevented, even if we considered all the steps for preventing MRI-induced skin burns. However, we could have stopped the increase in the degree of the burn by recognising early signs.