I did a search on platinum on this site. Most of the information appears to be dated, but was informative non the less.
I was surprised about a few things:
It looks like many of us have platinum in our bodies in the form of coils.
Apparently, there are some types of platinum that are OK for MRI. I have always been told that platinum and MRI’s do not go together. I was even pulled out of the machine by a panicked radiologist! As far as I know,they used coils, ball bearings, and flakes to plug my AVM. All platinum and all being studied. Then the craineotomy was done to repair the ruptured vein of galen when they extracted the AVM mass. They had to use clips of some sort to repair the ruptured blood vessel. during the craniotomy. These were platinum also.
I went to a doctors appointment yesterday and asked that we look up the records to find out what type of platinum/other metal was used. I may actually be able to have MRIs after all! Denying me MRIs has meant the alternitive, CAT scans, angios, and myelograms.
I am interested in your knowledge, experience, feedback, and wisdom. Thanks
I have had several MRI/MRAs with platinum coils and clips because the surgeries and procedures are all (so far) being done at the same hospital so everybody knows what was used. IF you have any doubts, if you have been told by a panicked radiologist that you can't receive certain treatments, or if you travel to other regions where you might need medical assistance in another hospital, it would make sense for you to (1) find out what the material is that was used in your clips/coils, and (2) carry something with you that tells the hospital what you have in your head. Nobody should not have the right diagnostic test because there is confusion about its safety.
I have a platinum coil that was place in 2012 in my cerebral aneurysm. I have had several (in the teens) MRIs/MRAs since then with no problems. I have, however, had radiologists panic to the point that I had to wait four days in the hospital for my MRI and by the time they actually did it I had been on steroids for four days. By then they had no idea what had been wrong and they never figured it out. I've found that it's best to make sure that every doctor/hospital possible has my information and they know what material my coil is made from so that no one has to wait or worry. As soon as they find out there's a coil, they panic. I don't want any problems as much as they don't and, even though I tell them, they don't want to risk anything.
Every situation is different though and I also don't have any clips, just one platinum coil. I hope the best for you and hope that you're able to have MRIs again!
As always, please ask your doctor for guidance. I agree with Dodie, a letter that you can take with you would be helpful for you and the MR Techs. I found the following article interesting… http://www.mrisafety.com/SafetyInfoFromList.asp?LSub=23
I recall being told that the surgeon used glue and fabric to close off my ruptured AVM. The next step, a craniotomy, was performed and the surgeon removed the AVM that was dead, plus the 5-inch blood clot. I am told that I have 3 titanium clips reinforcing the closures of where the AVM was removed, as well as 3 titanium mesh plates inserted to keep the part of my skull that was removed in place so it did not "sink" into my brain. I never heard of anything used in my procedures made of platinum. I do know that I have had MRI and Cat scans, plus gone through all types of security screenings, and my head has never had a problem or set off any alarms. My surgery was in 2008.
When I had the craniotomy in 1959, there were 5 or 6 vascular clips used I believe to close off veins or arteries. On an X-ray, they look like old ace bandage clips. No one knows what they are made of except they are metal. There are no hospital records. The hospital, now known as Winthrop Hospital in Mineola New York, was back then known as Nassau Hospital. So, I never get an MRI. I actually had some dumb doctor get very upset that I could not get an MRI for something he wanted. I figure he could go scramble his own brain.
I have one embolisation could led in my avm , since having put that in I have had a lot of mri’s done safely . I did however have to find out what sort of coil it was etc … And take the letter with me with the part number on it .
I think if you have all this knowledge before any mri’s you won’t have any problems .
I think you are right. No one should have to be forced into an alternitive test because of a panicked radiologist. The alternitive tests for imaging my head or my back are intrusive, painful, and not as accurate to boot.
I did get the aid of my primary care doctor to find the information regarding the type of metals used. I am lucky; in 1992 there were computers, AND there were records on them. I am also thankful that all of my medical care has been at UCSF since 1992. Finding the information should be easy.
So, I am getting the information, and I am getting a medical ID bracelet that will be seen. I made a mistake a few years back. When I broke my hip, I was wearing a med ID that looked too much like jewelry, so it was ignored!
I appreciate your comments. I think you have “hit the nail on the head.” No one wants a MRI or a MRA to go south. In fact, I think that every one of us, patient or provider, wants the best result possible.
The radiologist that pulled me out of the MRI actually turned a little bit white. He was even shaking a little. Didn’t do me a whole lot of good either!
Yes, safety does come first. The rattled radiologist that took me out of the MRI machine did rattle me quite a lot in response!
My primary care physician is finding the old records and what type of metal I have inside my scull.
And I am in the process of getting a medical ID bracelet. I am considering a 4 number pin on the bracelet that would give doctors or other providers my entire medical history. That PIN number is also put in your wallet for the ENT to find.
Wow. I was lucky in that my AVM was found before it ruptured. It sounds like the titanium that was used in your case in 2008 is OK for MRI and MRA. What symptoms did you have after the rupture? Where was the AVM in your brain? Where were you when it happened? How old were you? Did they close your scalp by fastening the piece of bone back on to your head?
Your experience demonstrates the skill of surgeons and NI radiologists that existed in 2008. Back in 1992 when mine happened, all this stuff was pretty new and archaic compared to later years. I remember finding a book at the UCSF bookstore that was a few years old in 1992 that was all about AVMs. How far they have come!
How are you? It seems that there is no end to the “God thing” that many doctors assume. I was in a workshop that was given in San Rafael a few years back. The moderator was well known in medical circles for her “12 stop program” that taught how not to subscribe to this attitude. She was teaching medical students about how destructive this demeanor could be.
I run, not walk, the other way when I get a doctor like this. As you say, these docs can scramble their own brains. Generally, I find that these are the older ones. Most of the new doctors have had a little bit different professional upbringing. But, then again, there are exceptions.
It does look like a good idea. I am leaning toward getting one. I learned something a few years back: the med ID needs to be noticeable. When I broke my hip the ER totally ignored the small ID I had around my neck. Luckily, my spouse was there to advocate for me.
I have 2 very massive AVM. Dr Yakes tried something a little different with me, and used extensive coiling. I did the math, and I have about 144 feet of coilling all together. After a handful of surgeries, they went to do an MRI. The nurse asked me if I had any coils and I said yes, I am a Yakes patient. She assumed I had a couple, but was shocked when I said,“No, a couple hundred.” Because they were used to patients having all platinum coils they didn’t think anything of it, that is, until they didn’t get an image after two tries on one machine, and another try on another machine. by the end I was in severe pain and could not barely walk. my ATMs are in my hip and left femur. After the MRI’s and still no image, I asked one of Yakes PA’s if it was common to experience pain with MRIs and coils. She rushed away to ask some questions and came way back with an answer for me. Because I had such an extensive coiling, they used some with stainless steel, which is reactive, and we’re heating up during the MRI. long story short no MRI’s for me.
