Artifacts caused by cochlear implants with non-removable magnets in 3T MRI: phantom and cadaveric studies

  • Omid Majdani
  • Thomas S. Rau
  • Friedrich Götz
  • Martin Zimmerling
  • Minoo Lenarz
  • Thomas Lenarz
  • Robert Labadie
  • Martin Leinung
Otology
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate artifacts produced by cochlear implants (CI) during 3.0 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging of the brain using different sequences on phantom and cadaveric specimens. A phantom and three cadaveric specimens with CIs were imaged using a 3.0 T clinical scanner. Artifacts were analyzed quantitatively and according to the sequence used. Different brain regions were evaluated for image distortion and limitation of diagnostic significance. In cadaver studies, all sequences generated signal-void areas around the implant. In T2-weighted sequences, additional periodic shadowing was discovered. Anatomical structures of the brain on the contralateral side of the CI were for the most part undistorted. At 3T, artifacts around CIs with non-removable magnets compromise image quality of the nearby brain regions and diagnosis of brain lesions is limited. In the contralateral hemisphere, diagnostic accuracy is only marginally limited.

Keywords

Artifacts Magnetic resonance imaging 3.0 T MRI Magnetic field of CI CI and MRI interactions 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgments

No financial support or funding was provided for conducting this study.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Martin Zimmerling is an employee in the R&D Department of the MED-EL company. MED-EL cochlear implants were used in this study.

References

  1. 1.
    Fallon JB, Irvine DR, Shepherd RK (2008) Cochlear implants and brain plasticity. Hear Res 238:110–117CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  2. 2.
    Riederer SJ (2004) New advances in MRI. In: Yang GZ, Jiang T (eds) MIAR 2004. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–9Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Abrams HL (1989) Cochlear implants are a contraindication to MRI. JAMA 261:46CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. 4.
    Baumgartner WD, Youssefzadeh S, Czerny C et al (2000) Clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging in cochlear-implanted patients. Adv Otorhinolaryngol 57:28–31PubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Baumgartner WD, Youssefzadeh S, Hamzavi J et al (2001) Clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging in 30 cochlear implant patients. Otol Neurotol 22:818–822CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Schmerber S, Reyt E, Lavieille JP (2003) Is magnetic resonance imaging still a contraindication in cochlear-implanted patients? Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 260:293–294CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Portnoy WM (1991) Cochlear implants as a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 100:195–197PubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Graham J, Lynch C, Weber B et al (1999) The magnetless Clarion cochlear implant in a patient with neurofibromatosis 2. J Laryngol Otol 113:458–463PubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. 9.
    Heller JW, Brackmann DE, Tucci DL et al (1996) Evaluation of MRI compatibility of the modified nucleus multichannel auditory brainstem and cochlear implants. Am J Otol 17:724–729PubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    MRI HochmairES (2006) Safety of MED-EL C40/C40+ cochlear implants. Cochlear Implants International 2:98–114Google Scholar
  11. 11.
    Youssefzadeh S, Baumgartner W, Dorffner R et al (1998) MR compatibility of Med EL cochlear implants: clinical testing at 1.0 T. J Comput Assist Tomogr 22:346–350CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  12. 12.
    Teissl C, Kremser C, Hochmair ES (1998) Cochlear implants: in vitro investigation of electromagnetic interference at MR imaging-compatibility and safety aspects. Radiology 208:700–708PubMedGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Teissl C, Kremser C, Hochmair ES (1999) Magnetic resonance imaging and cochlear implants: compatibility and safety aspects. J Magn Reson Imaging 9:26–38CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    ImageJ Software. http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/
  15. 15.
    Majdani O, Leinung M, Rau T et al (2008) Demagnetization of cochlear implants and temperature changes in 3.0 T MRI environment. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 139:833–839CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  16. 16.
    Weber BP, Neuburger J, Battmer RD et al (1997) Magnetless cochlear implant: relevance of adult experience for children. Am J Otol 18(6 Suppl):S50–S51PubMedGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Weber BP, Goldring JE, Santogrossi T et al (1998) Magnetic resonance imaging compatibility testing of the Clarion 1.2 cochlear implant. Am J Otol 19:584–590CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  18. 18.
    Weber BP, Neuburger J, Lenarz T (1998) Zur Entwicklung und klinischen Erprobung eines magnetfreien Cochlear-Implantates. Experimentelle Voruntersuchungen und chirurgische Konzeption. Ergebnisse der ersten zehn Patienten [Development and clinical testing of a non-magnetic cochlear implant. Preliminary experimental studies and surgical concept. Results in the first 10 patients]. Laryngorhinootologie 77:376–381CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  19. 19.
    Weber BP, Neuburger J, Goldring JE et al (1999) Clinical results of the CLARION magnetless cochlear implant. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl 177:22–26PubMedGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Wackym PA, Michel MA, Prost RW et al (2004) Effect of magnetic resonance imaging on internal magnet strength in Med-El Combi 40+ cochlear implants. Laryngoscope 114:1355–1361CrossRefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Omid Majdani
    • 1
    • 4
  • Thomas S. Rau
    • 1
  • Friedrich Götz
    • 2
  • Martin Zimmerling
    • 3
  • Minoo Lenarz
    • 1
  • Thomas Lenarz
    • 1
  • Robert Labadie
    • 4
  • Martin Leinung
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck SurgeryMedical University of HannoverHannoverGermany
  2. 2.Department of NeuroradiologyMedical University of HannoverHannoverGermany
  3. 3.R&D DepartmentMED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInnsbruckAustria
  4. 4.Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleUSA

Personalised recommendations