[AZjanie]

I am having MRI's of my neck and spine to check for any lesions. I am having more problems and new Neuro thinks we had better check on it.

Anyhow; the hospital here replaced the really old MRI machine (which I think had an ox on a treadmill) to a new 3 Tesla which is great except...

I have tattooed eyebrows (I plucked mine out when I was 16 and knew it all) and the scheduler told me the MRI may burn my brows as it is so strong!

Has anyone here experienced problems with tattoos and MRIs? The old one never bothered me at all so I am hoping this won't be too bad.

Normally; I just take my own comfortable earplugs and relax and enjoy the solitude of the tube.

[lady_express_44]

I'm not sure if this is entirely accurate, but I had also heard of "old" tattoo's being a potential problem . . .

" . . . about 20 years ago and further, tattoo ink was sometimes comprised of small fragments of metal as well as other ingredients. This was long before tattoos were ever regulated and before more serious thought was given as to the safety of tattoo ink ingredients. Some MRI patients who have had tattoos that dated back far enough to have received ink that contained metal bits have reported slight discomfort to severe pain during an MRI scan.

It is purported that the reason for this was that the magnetic force pulled on the metallic fragments so violently that it caused a burning sensation in the location of the tattoo. I have heard some theorize that this may have been caused by built up friction between the particles, and some say that the magnetic force was actually tearing at the skin as the fragments were pulled and attempted to actually break away from the skin.

I don’t know which, if either, is true; however, even if there is no pain at all, these fragments can cause artifacts, which is the technical term used for distortions in MRI scans. Artifacts can render a scanned image useless, requiring that the procedure be done again or even an alternate procedure be used to acquire accurate information. So, at the very least, you could be stuck with a very expensive bill for nothing -if, of course, your tattoo actually contains these metal particles."

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/tatfaq/a/mri_scan.htm

Cherie

[AZjanie]

Thanks so much!!

My "new" eyebrows are only four years old so shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I talked with the tech again and she said there may be some redness...okay; I'll have red eyebrows for awhile!!

Maybe I should color my hair red too.

[jprinz99]

heck, where a flaming red bra too

[freeinhou]

I think I'd go with the red bra...

Lead in the dye might present a problem. If it was 4 years ago, probably not a problem unless ya had the tat done in Mexico or Europe. MRI is magnetic resonating (ok, duh...). Metals are bad. You;re gonna get zapped with a wide array of alpha, gamma, beta - mostly gamma. Some neutrons too. Too much info? Don't worry. It'll heat up metals (especially if ya got contrast, which is radioactive iodine).

I wouldn't worry about it. What used to be called nuclear stuff is now called MRI. I'm an ex-nuke plant worker. I'm not concerned about CT's or MRI's (CT's are worse).

Tom

[AZjanie]

OOh my goodness Tom!!

That red bra would look so hot on you!!

Tomorrow is the big day. I have my earplugs and I am ready!!

I've had so many MRI's we don't need night lights any more.

The enhanced lesions in my brain are PROOF of my sparkling personality!!

I'll give you an update on the red brows!! If it fades the color out I'll just do them myself with black magic marker!

[tkrik]

Good luck tomorrow, Janie! Let us know how it goes.

[AZjanie]

I had my MRI this morning and other than a neck and backache from holding still for too long it went fine.

No burning and I still have eyebrows!!

The tech told me eyeliner is a big no-no and they refuse to do anyone who has tattooed eyeliner.

I took my own slipper sox and earplugs and did just fine.

btw: Even though they are not supposed to say anything she didn't "see" anything so... we'll see.

Hugs,
Janie

[sabimax]

woohooo YOU still have EYEBROWSSS ..hehehe wow these things we do not always know..like tattooed eyeliner, how would someone think of that when thinking of getting that done...oh wait, maybe I should not get this done in case of MRI...

anyhow congrats.woohooo I have MRI in few weeks to check once again if anything shows....(although around here 1.5)

hugssss,sarah