Magnetic resonance imaging: Bioeffects and safety concerns

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the state-of-the-art noninvasive imagin g modality in clinical diagnosis. During MRI examination, the patient is ex posed to three different forms of electromagnetic radiation: (i) a static m agnetic field, (ii) gradient magnetic fields, and (iii) radiofrequency (RF) fields. Each of these may cause significant adverse bioeffects if applied at sufficiently high exposure levels. This article describes in some detail the areas of health concern for both the patient and the health practition er with respect to the use of clinical MRI, in addition to describing the p otential bioeffects of electromagnetic radiations used in this sophisticate d imaging modality.