Hello,
I had a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2006. They removed my bone flap to relieve intercranial pressure, and when they replaced the bone flap later, they they secured it with screws and plates. I also had a coiling embolization procedure as well with micro coils that I believe are made out of titanium. Out of curiosity, would it be possible for me to beep if I went through a metal detector? Do any of you carry implant device cards for this purpose? I have had MRIs after my surgeries and procedures, so I don't think the metal is strong enough to be detected, or I won't be able to go through MRI scans...I am curious to hear the of the experience of others, if this was ever a concern.
Thanks,
Irene
mri/mra depends- I had to wait an hour to get one because they had to verify exact type of coils and shunt also mri machines are all different too with different tesla strengths
Irene, both my Neurosurgeons, one for the brain, one for the back said I didn’t need a card. I haven’t flown since either surgery. I have titanium pins and screws in my back and the coiling material in my brain, I don’t think she used titanium but I can be wrong. The back surgery is pretty obvious. Brain surgery not so much. That being said, I would follow Barb’s advice and call your doctor. Next time I decide to fly, I’m thinking during regular business hours so I can call the doctors office - just in case…TSA wants to take me to their special room.
Hi Irene,
I had a craniomoty in July 2014. There are four plates in my head, not to mention the screws. I asked and do not need doctors certification as to surgery. Whatever material was used does not set off alarms. I have traveled by plane at least eight times since the surgery. Perhaps a call to the surgeons office? Good luck.
Penny
Hi Irene - I’ve only had coiling done but did ask about the metal. The coils are platinum which is non-conductive so no issue with either the airport or MRI/MRA’s. I’ve never had to get anything from my neurosurgeon prior to my MRI’s thankfully since as you know other metals could very much be an issue with an MRI. Check with your doctor and I’m sure you’re good to go. Hope this is helpful!
Thanks for your input everyone! I have travelled twice and it has never been an issue, but I heard it might be an issue for some, so I wanted to check. I called the neurosurgeon's office but he is away so I am awaiting the response. I also checked with the manufacturer of some of the hardware (the plates and screws) in my brain, and they said some people do have implant cards for that reason, but to check with the surgeon.
Hi Wendy,
Platinum definitely sounds familiar! I think it was the plates and screws that were titanium for t. I am glad that platinum is not conductive. Thanks for the info!
Wendy said:
Hi Irene - I've only had coiling done but did ask about the metal. The coils are platinum which is non-conductive so no issue with either the airport or MRI/MRA's. I've never had to get anything from my neurosurgeon prior to my MRI's thankfully since as you know other metals could very much be an issue with an MRI. Check with your doctor and I'm sure you're good to go. Hope this is helpful!
Its funny you posted this today. I had an MRA scheduled for this afternoon and the tech asked me if I had a card from my doctor about the metal. I told them the doctor used platinum the first time but I wasn't sure the second time this past October and assumed it was the same. So, needless to say they would not do the MRA. Since it was Saturday the doctors office was closed. Well, I had to laugh because here I had posted earlier, "oh, I've never had to get anything from my doctors" and stand corrected that it's obvious that I should have! The good thing was that I had taken my Ativan so I was ok with the rescheduling! I was feeling fine. (I take 1 Ativan an hour prior because I get claustrophobic in those tubes!) Also, better safe than sorry. I can't imagine what could happen otherwise. Shudder to think about it. Ugh! It's also just a little ironic that you just posted this today and then I end up having a first hand experience. Life works in mysterious ways. :-)
What are the chances that as we have this discussion, you have this experience?! I hope that things are sorted out and you don't have to wait for your scan too long!
Wendy said:
Its funny you posted this today. I had an MRA scheduled for this afternoon and the tech asked me if I had a card from my doctor about the metal. I told them the doctor used platinum the first time but I wasn't sure the second time this past October and assumed it was the same. So, needless to say they would not do the MRA. Since it was Saturday the doctors office was closed. Well, I had to laugh because here I had posted earlier, "oh, I've never had to get anything from my doctors" and stand corrected that it's obvious that I should have! The good thing was that I had taken my Ativan so I was ok with the rescheduling! I was feeling fine. (I take 1 Ativan an hour prior because I get claustrophobic in those tubes!) Also, better safe than sorry. I can't imagine what could happen otherwise. Shudder to think about it. Ugh! It's also just a little ironic that you just posted this today and then I end up having a first hand experience. Life works in mysterious ways. :-)
Hello Irene,
It's important for me to point out the platinum is a paramagnetic metal (meaning that it becomes magnetic when an external magnetic field is applied to it but it doesn't retain the magnetic properties once the field is removed) and that would make the coils conductive while magnetized. The titanium plates and screws are composed of iron oxide components. What this all means is that a wand to detect metals could be strong enough to become unpleasant especially within the brain region because of all the neurons and nerves. It would wise to let screeners know you have implants and they should use alternative means to screen you.
Best regards,
Ed
Yikes. This is good to know. My dr said platinum was non conductive so no worries and I have had other MRI’s without any problem but now I will be cautious. Thanks for posting this!
Hi Wendy,
You are welcome. My wife lives this lesson of physics everyday as she has early 1990's vintage metal in her fronto-temporal (a nerve rich area) and any contact with magnetic material results in painful headaches. Fortunately for patients like you and Irene the implants are less impacted (depending on the location of the aneurysm) by magnetic fields but still deserve great caution. Repeated and long duration exposure to magnetic fields appear to change how pain receptors react and in turn how the central nervous system responds to what appear to be external or physical threats to the brain - hence head pain or worse a migraine pattern. Be well!
Ed
I have been through metal detectors at airports and courthouses and never set off anything. My biggest fear were all those lights!!!! I wore a baseball cap.
Well I had my MRA today with no issues. The doctors office had sent the list of coils I have and they took the time to look them all up. I was good to go and no problems. It was a quick test too. I thought time of flight pics took longer but they said because it really was only my bloodvessels it would be shorter. Doesn’t entirely make sense but whatever. As long as the doctor has what he needs. Fr
I have titanium screws and clips after my surgery, never had a problem with airline or government building screenings