Does anyone know how many MRIs a person can have in a year?

Posted by poncei1991 @poncei1991, Nov 30 12:56pm

Does anyone know how many MRIs a person can have in a year?

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Aside from the kidneys dealing with Contrast dyes, the body should not have any issues with MRI frequency. There is no radiation involvement if that is your issue.
Although I am not a physician, as an engineer I worked on the early MRI systems at General Electric in 1979/80. There were no limiting factors back then. Today, the magnetic fields are even lower because the sensor array is vastly improved as is the computer ability. I will however confess that the patient table is still hard and rather uncomfortable and it seems there has been little improvement in that area. Typical as engineers often focus on the guts of a system whilst neglecting the comforts and user experience. You might get a sore bum having daily MRI’s.
What is your concern(s)?

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@poncei1991, according to the following articles, "MRI is a very safe procedure. Because radiation is not used, there is no risk of exposure to radiation during an MRI procedure. You can have multiple MRI examinations without any cumulative effects."
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging https://www.asnr.org/patientinfo/procedures/mri.shtml#block2
- Risks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-tests/m/mri/risk-factors.html

Do you have a condition that requires regular follow-up with MRI?

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@hrhwilliam

Aside from the kidneys dealing with Contrast dyes, the body should not have any issues with MRI frequency. There is no radiation involvement if that is your issue.
Although I am not a physician, as an engineer I worked on the early MRI systems at General Electric in 1979/80. There were no limiting factors back then. Today, the magnetic fields are even lower because the sensor array is vastly improved as is the computer ability. I will however confess that the patient table is still hard and rather uncomfortable and it seems there has been little improvement in that area. Typical as engineers often focus on the guts of a system whilst neglecting the comforts and user experience. You might get a sore bum having daily MRI’s.
What is your concern(s)?

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I have two tumors pressing on the outside of my brain. They found these tumors after I had a cat scan and then MRI. I will have another MRI in 3 months. I was thinking of having a full body scan. I just didn’t know if this advisable to have since I am having so many MRIs and scans.

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@colleenyoung

@poncei1991, according to the following articles, "MRI is a very safe procedure. Because radiation is not used, there is no risk of exposure to radiation during an MRI procedure. You can have multiple MRI examinations without any cumulative effects."
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging https://www.asnr.org/patientinfo/procedures/mri.shtml#block2
- Risks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-tests/m/mri/risk-factors.html

Do you have a condition that requires regular follow-up with MRI?

Jump to this post

Yes tumors pressing on my outer brain. Need to watch to see if they get bigger. I was also going to have a full body scan. Didn’t know if that was too many.

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@hrhwilliam

Aside from the kidneys dealing with Contrast dyes, the body should not have any issues with MRI frequency. There is no radiation involvement if that is your issue.
Although I am not a physician, as an engineer I worked on the early MRI systems at General Electric in 1979/80. There were no limiting factors back then. Today, the magnetic fields are even lower because the sensor array is vastly improved as is the computer ability. I will however confess that the patient table is still hard and rather uncomfortable and it seems there has been little improvement in that area. Typical as engineers often focus on the guts of a system whilst neglecting the comforts and user experience. You might get a sore bum having daily MRI’s.
What is your concern(s)?

Jump to this post

I agree with @hrhwilliam
The greatest benefit of MRI was they are not radiation. So the damage of ongoing radiation is not present with MRIs.

If you have contrast done that would depend on the type and side affects of the contrast.

I have an ICD/Pacemaker and thus have to have a special MRI done on me but it is possible. I am told the MRI special machine is a lower level power and the PACE Clinic comes in and shuts off my pacing during the MRI.

Some new ICD/Pacemakers and their wires are MRI compatible. That is a great improvement. I had my wires put in in 2006. So have some wires that are not MRI compatible.

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@jc76

I agree with @hrhwilliam
The greatest benefit of MRI was they are not radiation. So the damage of ongoing radiation is not present with MRIs.

If you have contrast done that would depend on the type and side affects of the contrast.

I have an ICD/Pacemaker and thus have to have a special MRI done on me but it is possible. I am told the MRI special machine is a lower level power and the PACE Clinic comes in and shuts off my pacing during the MRI.

Some new ICD/Pacemakers and their wires are MRI compatible. That is a great improvement. I had my wires put in in 2006. So have some wires that are not MRI compatible.

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Thank you for your information. I appreciate it.

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Sounds like one can tolerate more MRIs than their insurance provider/s might be willing to pay for.

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@poncei1991

Thank you for your information. I appreciate it.

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@ponce1991
Your welcome that is why MCC is here.
I am not a medical professional and certainly not an expert on any topic at MCC. When it came for me to have a MRI (prostate cancer) I really had doubts about being able to have a MRI because I have an ICD/Pacemaker. Research and studies I read said can't do it and some saying can. Conflicting and confusing information.

That is when I sent my questions and concerns to my medical providers. Getting direct and specific guidance for you is important. My EP and Pace Clinic were already aware of the MRI being scheduled and were working with MRI department on what would needs to be done and have a Pace Technician present.

My medical team told me please do not be concerned you can have a MRI we just have to do some additional things to make it safe. I got the same response from the manufacturer of my ICD/Pacemaker Boston Scientific.

MRIs are great diagnostic tools. There are many other great medical institutions like Mayo but I am glad to be a patient there.
Good luck,

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@jc76

@ponce1991
Your welcome that is why MCC is here.
I am not a medical professional and certainly not an expert on any topic at MCC. When it came for me to have a MRI (prostate cancer) I really had doubts about being able to have a MRI because I have an ICD/Pacemaker. Research and studies I read said can't do it and some saying can. Conflicting and confusing information.

That is when I sent my questions and concerns to my medical providers. Getting direct and specific guidance for you is important. My EP and Pace Clinic were already aware of the MRI being scheduled and were working with MRI department on what would needs to be done and have a Pace Technician present.

My medical team told me please do not be concerned you can have a MRI we just have to do some additional things to make it safe. I got the same response from the manufacturer of my ICD/Pacemaker Boston Scientific.

MRIs are great diagnostic tools. There are many other great medical institutions like Mayo but I am glad to be a patient there.
Good luck,

Jump to this post

Thank you. Best of luck to you as well.

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@bajjerfan

Sounds like one can tolerate more MRIs than their insurance provider/s might be willing to pay for.

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Very true.

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