Has Anyone had an MRI with an Expander or Port?

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Meggy
Meggy Member Posts: 530
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

My oncologist told me that I can't have an MRI as long as my one expander is still in.  I am not up for another surgery but have had slight headaches for a few weeks.  Hopefully just allergies like last spring.  Maybe it is the same thing if someone has a port in. I think both have some metal although maybe the rule is different with an expander. 

My lymphedema is worsened by surgery.  Just don't want to do it.  Has anyone had an MRI with an expander in or maybe a port that has metal in it?

Thanks for any info!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2011

    I don't know about the port but I'm pretty sure about the expander.  The metal circular valve will cause the MRI to go nuts.  All you have to do is call your local imaging center and they will confirm this for you.

    I had a spontaneous subdural hematoma a year or so ago and the neurologist was not happy that he could not do a MRI and had to resort to CAT scans. 

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  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2011
    Meggy- no, you can't have an MRI with an expander that has a magnet in it. I have been having severe arm pain (opposite mx side) and was scheduled for an MRI until we realized that the expander had a magnet. Now, from what I understand not all expanders have a magnet, but I do believe they all have metal around the access area.
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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited April 2011

    Sorry Meggy - NO MRI with an expander in! The MRI works by magnets - You don't want it pulling on your expander!!! Can't they do a CT on you? I don't believe there is an issue with metal with CT scans.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2011

    I had a CT on my liver with expanders and port. I agree with others. No MRI with expanders.

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited April 2011

    I don't have expanders, but my port is MRI safe.  I have a card that I carry in my wallet with the specifics about exactly what type of port I have and it states right on the card that it is MRI safe.  I have had 2 or 3 MRIs since the port was put in.

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited April 2011

    Faith - I had an MRI with a port as well - but my port was a rubber/plastic. However, when I had my expanders in the docs were adamant against an MRI and scheduled ultrasounds instead.

    Here is why you don't put metal in an MRI machine:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZmGdHKt_lE&NR=1 

    I know that an O2 tank is a lot bigger than the metal on your expander, but think about how they find the port on your expander - they hold a magnet over it. I don't think you would want to subject your breast to a body tube that is magnetized!!! Also, don't think that the size of the filling port on your expander will keep you safe from the strength of the magnets on the MRI. With as much force as the MRI exerts, you do NOT want it pulling the expander out of your chest. Really. 

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBx8BwLhqg&NR=1 

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited April 2011

    port yes, expander - NO.

    scary thing about mine was: neither the oncologist nor the surgeon remembered the issue of expander vs. MRI. thank God the MRI techs realized. oops. i was a bit testy about it, really.

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  • Meggy
    Meggy Member Posts: 530
    edited April 2011

    Thanks ladies for all your wondeful advice.  It was headaches that concerned me to I think only an MRI can look at the brain....but now for a few days almost no headache so I'm hoping it was allergies.

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