Risks and complications | MRI of the pelvis

Risks and complications

According to current studies, pelvic MRI is a risk-free and side-effect free examination procedure, since in comparison to other imaging procedures, such as X-ray or computed tomography (CT), pelvic MRI does not use harmful X-rays or ionizing radiation. Risks or complications arise primarily when contraindications (contraindications) for an MRI examination of the pelvis are not observed, for example, if metallic objects are not removed before the examination. Objects containing metal are drawn into the magnetic field of the MRI machine and can cause injury to the patient.

Also, strong heat development of metallic objects in the magnetic field can cause severe burns to the patient.Patients wearing a pacemaker should not have an MRI examination of the pelvis, since the magnetic field here carries the risk of injury from the acceleration of metallic parts of the pacemaker as well as the risk of a loss of function of the pacemaker. Patients suffering from claustrophobia (colloquial claustrophobia) run the risk of anxiety or even panic attacks when lying in the narrow tube of the MRI machine. In order to avoid this, patients suffering from claustrophobia can have an MRI examination of the pelvis under short anaesthesia.

In some cases, the use of a contrast medium is necessary to better differentiate between different tissues, for example to identify tumors of the pelvic organs. The commonly used gadolinium DTPA is usually a well tolerated contrast medium. Side effects such as skin irritation, tingling sensation or even pain at the application site, discomfort, nausea, headaches or allergic reactions to the contrast medium rarely occur during the administration of the contrast medium.