How common is it for an MRI to be done on someone with a metal expander in place?

Question

I have stage 3 breast cancer and I have a metal expander inside of me. I was scheduled for an MRI and when I got to the doctors he informed me that he did not know that I had this in me and would not perform the MRI. Although my other doctor had an MRI done on me a few days prior. Now to my understanding they should not be done and should not yave been on me with a metal expander in me. Why and what are the risks and danger of this being done

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Tissue expanders have a metal port which act as the fider for the magnet used to establish the location where the injection needle will be placed. This is also why a MRI should not be performed with anyone with metal inside of their body since the MRI is a also BIG magnet and can completely disrupt the tissues around where the metal is located.  All this means that MRI should not be performed with anyone who has an expander. Best of luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

The breast tissue expander has a port which is where the injection needle is inserted to infuse saline and "expand".  There is a metal disk that acts as stopper so the needle is not placed any further than necessary.  It also aids in helping the "finder" which is a magnet that helps find the injection port.In general an MRI should not be done with any metal objects around or in the patient.  Since the MRI is a very strong magnet, it can disrupt the implant and lead to having additional surgery to place a new implant.My patients in general wait until the expander is removed and silicone implant is placed before they undergo and MRI.Hope that helps.Good luck.

Paul J. Leahy, MD · Answer

Great question. To be more clear, the tissue expander is not metal, but they do have a very small titanium metal disc that sits under the injection port site. This disc serves two purposes: to stop the injection needle at the appropriate depth, and so that we can use a magnet in the office to find the injection port. Radiologists have varying opinions about using MRI w/ these expanders in place. The risk is that the MRI (uses a very strong magnet) and could potentially disrupt or move the expander due to the metal disc, or create heat. I've had plenty of patients get an MRI w/ the expanders in place w/ zero issues, and then others who are told they cannot have it. In that case, another imaging test is used (such as CT scanning, ultrasound, or others). Usually the MRI has been conducted already prior to any breast surgery, so that wouldn't become an issue. Once the expander is traded out for the true implant, MRI is an excellent imaging tool w/ no risk of metal issues.

How common is it for an MRI to be done on someone with a metal expander in place?

Answers (3)

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