Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a rapidly evolving modality, generally considered safe due to a lack of ionizing radiation. While MRI technology and techniques have advanced, many of the safety concerns remain the same as they have always been, since adverse MRI incident reporting records began. Patient thermal injuries are the most frequently reported adverse event, accounting for 59% of MRI incidents to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1 and 47% to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).2 Literature indicates that many...

Six journal databases were searched for sources published January 2010 – May 2023, presenting information on MRI safety and thermal injuries. Of 26,801 articles returned, after careful screening and based on the eligibility criteria, only 79 articles and an additional 19 grey literature sources were included (n=98).

Included studies were examined using thematic analysis to determine if holistic recommendations can be provided to assist in preventing skin burns. Recommended actions to assist in preventing skin thermal injuries were considered and summarised, as shown in Table 1. [Table 1]Correct placement of patient padding was one of the key recommendations from Table 1. How to position padding for a typical MRI scan of a shoulder is displayed in Figure 1. [Fig 1]There were nine key themes drawn from the data, as detailed in Table...

With preventable skin burns and thermal injuries continuing to be experienced by patients undergoing an MRI scan, it's vital to share strategies to improve MRI safety practices which prevent such adverse events. The literature regarding MRI safety guidance to prevent patient skin burns is fragmented and potentially confusing. This poster seeks to summarise the risks of thermal injuries to patients who undergo an MRI examination and to provide practical ways to mitigate the risks. Assessing individual risks, rather than blanket policies, will help prevent skin...

C. Baker: Nothing to disclose B. J. Nugent: Nothing to disclose D. Grainger: Nothing to disclose J. D. Hewis: Nothing to disclose C. Malamateniou: Nothing to disclose

Delfino JG, Krainak DM, Flesher SA, Miller DL. MRI-related FDA adverse event reports: A 10-yr review. Medical physics (Lancaster) 2019 Dec;46(12):5562-5571. Grainger D. MHRA update IPEM MR Safety 2021. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency 2021 February. Tang M, Yamamoto T. Progress in understanding radiofrequency heating and burn injuries for safer MR imaging. Magn Reson Med Sci 2022:rev.2021-0047. Dempsey MF, Condon B. Thermal injuries associated with MRI. Clin Radiol 2001 Jun;56(6):457-465. Stafford RJ. The physics of magnetic resonance imaging safety. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N...