Patient Safety in MRI with the Use of a Joint-Spanning External Fixator for Knee Dislocation

Abstract

» Universal safety guidelines for the use of a knee-spanning external fixator in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are unlikely to be established considering the high variability in device construct configurations.» Per the US Food and Drug Administration, manufacturers are to provide parameters for safe MRI scanning for “MR Conditional” devices; however, such labeling may be limited in detail. Physicians should reference manufacturer labels as a starting point while making an educated clinical decision.» Scanning of a knee-spanning external fixator inside the MR bore has been safely demonstrated in previous studies, although with small sample sizes.» When considering MRI in a patient treated with a knee-spanning external fixator, physicians should use all available resources and coordinate with their medical team to make a clinically reasonable decision contrasting patient benefit vs. potential harm.