MR imaging in patients with intracranial aneurysm clips

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 885 - 889
• Main Authors: Becker, RL, Norfray, JF, Teitelbaum, GP, Bradley, WG, Jr, Jacobs, JB, Wacaser, L, Rieman, RL
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oak Brook, IL Am Soc Neuroradiology 01-09-1988; American Society of Neuroradiology
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Alloys; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Case Reports; Female; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neurology; Stainless Steel; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Vascular Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Clip; Human; Brain; Nervous system diseases; Surgery; Blood vessel; Aneurysm; Artefact; Harmlessness; Magnetic field; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X

Four patients with intracranial aneurysm clips made from a variety of alloys were studied without incidence by MR imaging at field strengths ranging from 0.35 to 0.6 T. Knowledge of the type of alloy used in the manufacturing of an aneurysm clip is important in determining whether the clip will or will not deflect in a magnetic field. Ferromagnetic clips show deflection and torque in a magnetic field and have the potential to dislodge from the aneurysm. Nonferromagnetic or weakly ferromagnetic aneurysm clips such as the Sugita (Elgiloy), Yasargil (316 LVM stainless steel), Heifetz (Elgiloy), Yasargil (Phynox), and Vari-Angle McFadden (MP35N) do not deflect or deflect weakly in the magnetic field and therefore would not be expected to dislodge during MR. The option of imaging many patients with intracranial aneurysm clips with MR extends the usefulness of the technique to a previously excluded population.