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Do MRI scans interact with the metal plates installed during shunt (tube) Glaucoma surgeries

Question:

Hi John,      MRI would only be a problem if glaucoma shunts were made of metal, which they are not.  All glaucoma shunts are plastic and/or silicone, except for the Ex-Press glaucoma minishunt, which is not commonly used anymore.  Those are metal, but I believe they are not magnetic.  Hope that helps. –Rick Cohn, MD Glaucoma Specialist

Response:

MRI machine operators usually question people closely about possible metal fragments remaining in eyes after accidents; presumably because MRI can move these metal fragments around. Wouldn’t the same apply to the metal plates installed in "shunt" glaucoma surgery? — particularly in "brain" MRI scans? I started wondering after having lower spine and pelvis MRI’s today.  I did not think to mention my two shunt surgeries, which was probably just as well. Thanks for any comments. John

Response:

"John" <j…@nospam.net> wrote in message

news:bpck41dao2gbubk88gcj756f74jj94trvn@4ax.com… > MRI machine operators usually question people closely about > possible metal fragments remaining in eyes after accidents; > presumably because MRI can move these metal fragments around. > Wouldn’t the same apply to the metal plates installed in "shunt" > glaucoma surgery? — particularly in "brain" MRI scans? > I started wondering after having lower spine and pelvis MRI’s > today.  I did not think to mention my two shunt surgeries, which > was probably just as well. > Thanks for any comments. > John

It would depend on the type of metal. I have a titanium implant in my arm. It is a non-errous metal which is not magnetic. I would imagine your shunts are non-ferrous metal too, but you might check with your Dr.

Response:

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