Safety of MR scanning in patients with nonferromagnetic aneurysm clips

The purpose of this study was to report our surveillance of patients with n onferromagnetic aneurysm clips (NFAC) who have undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Forty-six patients with NFAC underwent AM over a 7-year per iod. Medical records were studied for evidence of subjective or objective c linical findings as a result of the MRI scan. In two patients with subjecti ve complaints, computed tomograms (CT) were reviewed and patient interviews conducted. No significant neurologic signs or longterm symptoms were exper ienced. Two patients did not complete their AMI scans due to transient unil ateral head pain In one and head "pressure" in another. CT scans in these p atients demonstrated no evidence for hemorrhage or visible change in clip p osition. We documented no objective adverse outcome of patients undergoing AM with NFAC, confirming that AM can be performed safely in patients with n onferromagnetic aneurysm clips. The cause of subjective complaints in two o f our patients is unknown. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.