Clinical Applications Flashcards
Two metal objects are exposed to the static magnetic field. Object #1 weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and is in the shape of a sphere and has a diameter of 6 inches (15.4 cm). Object #2 is 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and is in the shape of a rod measuring is 1 x 6 cm. Which object will have the greatest potential for torque in the magnetic field?
Object #1
Object #2
Neither will experience any torque
Both will experience equal torque
Object #2
Pillowcases or sheets placed between the patient and the bore provides appropriate protection against proximity burns. True or False?
True
False
False
The best way to ensure that an oxygen tank can be safely taken into the scan room is:
Look for the green top. Green means go.
Look for the silver sides. The silver is aluminum which is not magnetic.
Test the tank with a handheld magnet of at least 1,000G every time it is used.
Pick it up. If it is heavy, it should not go into the scan room.
Test the tank with a handheld magnet of at least 1,000G every time it is used.
If a patient is too large for manufacturer recommended padding to be placed between the patient and the bore, it is recommended to perform the scan and ask the patient to sign a consent form stating that they are aware of the associated thermal risk.
True
False
False
Clothing labels/tags always indicate the presence of silver fibers or treatments. True or False?
True
False
False
While researching a patient’s implant for safety, acceptable information can be gained from:
The patient’s surgical report
The patient’s billing records for the implant procedure
The patient’s medical records
The patient’s implant card
All of the above
The patient’s surgical report
The patient’s billing records for the implant procedure
The patient’s medical records
The patient’s implant card
All of the above
Items labeled ‘MR Safe’ are only safe in a specific MR environment. True or False?
True
False
False
In the U.S. if an oxygen tank has a green top with silver sides, what is known about it?
It is MR safe because green means go
It is MR conditional because it has silver sides
Nothing, other than it contains oxygen
It is MR unsafe. There is no such thing as an MR conditional oxygen tank
Nothing, other than it contains oxygen
A patient presents with a metallic implant having MR conditional labeling for spatial gradient max 720G/cm. The maximum spatial gradient (MSG) for the MR system is 2420G/cm. Based solely on this spatial gradient information, could the patient be scanned safely?
No, because the system’s MSG exceeds the labeling for the implant
Yes, because spatial gradient labeling doesn’t matter
Possibly, but the location of the implant while it is in the static field should be checked against the spatial gradient map for the system
What’s maximum spatial gradient?
Possibly, but the location of the implant while it is in the static field should be checked against the spatial gradient map for the system
Keeping all other factors the same, doubling the flip angle will have what effect on SAR?
There will be no effect
SAR will also double
SAR will increase by a factor of 4
SAR will be decreased
SAR will increase by a factor of 4
Providing patients with warm blankets during scanning will help them perspire and better dissipate heat. True or False?
True
False
False
When transmitting with the body coil, the best way to limit RF exposure to anatomy is:
Use the smallest receive coil possible
Use the body coil to receive also
Keep anatomy out of the area of RF deposition
Use a small field of view
Keep anatomy out of the area of RF deposition
If an implant has not been tested for MR safety, it is unsafe and should not be used in the MRI environment. True or False?
True
False
False
If an oxygen tank has a green top with silver sides, it is known to the MR conditional. True or False?
True
False
False
Nitinol is a non-ferrous nickel-titanium alloy. Because it is non-ferrous, it would be labeled MR Safe. True or False?
True
False
False
Patients should be permitted to wear their own clothing in the MRI scanner. True or False?
True
False
False
EKG changes may be observed with patient exposure to the static magnetic field, before imaging has begun. True or False?
True
False
True
When performing a risk/benefit analysis for a patient with an implant, all of these questions should be considered except:
Where is the implant within the patient?
Where are we depositing RF energy?
Did the ordering physician document that the implant is safe to scan?
Will the implant be exposed to each MR energy?
Is there a low resistance pathway (loop) bringing e-fields to the implant?
Did the ordering physician document that the implant is safe to scan?
The ways humans can handle or dissipate heat include all of the following EXCEPT
perspiration/evaporation
radiation
convection
conduction
hydration
hydration
When scanning with a receive only RF coil, what can be done to prevent unwanted RF irradiation to anatomy outside of the area of interest?
Use a smaller receive coil.
Use a smaller FOV
All anatomy within the body coil will receive RF, so if possible, position the patient so that the anatomy in question is outside the volume of the transmit coil.
Place a saturation band/region over the other anatomy
All anatomy within the body coil will receive RF, so if possible, position the patient so that the anatomy in question is outside the volume of the transmit coil.
Obese or pregnant patients may have difficulty dissipating heat because they have a decreased surface to volume ratio. True or False?
True
False
True
EKG perturbances can alter cardiac gating due to elevation of the ST segment of the EKG waveform. True or False?
True
False
True
Interactions between the static magnet field and active implants include all of the following EXCEPT:
motion/dislodgement
incapacitation of device
improved function
alteration of device function
improved function
What can be done to mitigate Lenz’s forces on a patient’s large metallic, conductive implant?
Nothing, just advance the patient to isocenter quickly to get it over with
Explain what is happening to the patient and advance them to isocenter slowly
Have the patient hold onto the implant so that it doesn’t move
Cancel the exam because the patient may feel burning
Explain what is happening to the patient and advance them to isocenter slowly
Nitinol is a non-ferromagnetic nickel-titanium alloy commonly used for self expanding stents. For MR safety purposes, nitinol would be labeled:
MR Safe
MR Conditional
MR Unsafe
MRI Compatible
MR Conditional
What type of matter lacks magnetic qualities?
Unmagnetic
Supermagnetic
Paramagnetic
Nonmagnetic
Nonmagnetic
A patient presents for an MR Brain and has a spherical metallic object in their pelvis. It has been determined that the object is MR conditional, so the patient has been cleared for scanning. If the patient is scanned using a Transmit/Receive head coil, what effect will RF have on the object?
It could heat, so a heat sink should be applied
It could experience torque, so it should be immobilized
Nothing, it will not be in the area of RF deposition
I would not scan this patient
Nothing, it will not be in the area of RF deposition
Which scenario has the most potential for a thermal injury due to induced voltage loops?
Patient with arms and legs crossed
Patient with arms at sides and fingers just touching bare lateral thighs
Patient with legs immobilized and pressed together hip to ankle
Patient with one arm above head and one arm at side
Patient with arms at sides and fingers just touching bare lateral thighs
All stainless steel is non-ferromagnetic and therefore MR conditional. True or False?
True
False
False
All stainless steel is ferromagnetic and therefore MR unsafe. True or False?
True
False
False
Most implants are not tested for MR safety because:
The manufacturers don’t care about MR safety
The implant wasn’t marketed for use in the MRI environment
It is too expensive
The implant wasn’t marketed for use in the MRI environment
A patient may interpret the vibration of nonferrous metallic jewelry or body modification as ‘burning’, especially in the periphery of the bore. True or False?
True
False
True
Of the following modifications, which one would change the anatomy exposed to RF?
Positioning the patient away from isocenter
Positioning the anatomy of interest at isocenter
Switching to a different transmit RF coil
Changing the scan FOV
Switching to a different transmit RF coil
Hearing protection should only be provided if the patient requests it. True or False?
True
False
False
_________ is a potential risk of gowning all MR patients. Using ________ can eliminate this risk.
Patient dissatisfaction/gift cards
Increase in skin to skin contact/appropriate positioning and padding
Patients being cold/lots of warm blankets
Infection/bleach wipes
Increase in skin to skin contact/appropriate positioning and padding