PREVENTION OF HEALTH RISKS OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING - RECOMMENDATION OF THE GERMAN RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION COMMISSION

Magnetic resonance imaging is used routinely with much success for var ious problems in different medical disciplines. However, the patient i s exposed to static as well as to time-dependent magnetic fields and r adiofrequency electromagnetic fields. In 1997 the Strahlenschutzkommis sion,the German Radiological Protection Commission, passed a recommend ation on the use of magnetic resonance in medical diagnostics. In this recommendation basic values related to thresholds for physiological e ffects and limits for restricted and unrestricted use are given. In th e following the aim and applicability of this recommendation are discu ssed,as well as the thresholds and different limits for the static mag netic fields, the gradient fields and the radio-frequency fields. Addi tionally, advice is given for the protection of high-risk patients, pe rsonnel, and the general public, together with further safety advice a s well as recommendations for users and manufactuers.