Magnetic resonance imaging and surgical clips.

Magnetic resonance imaging produces diagnostically useful images of soft-tissue structures within the body. Implanted magnetic materials degrade these images and are subject to magnetic forces from the imaging process. The authors evaluated 54 surgical clips (38 aneurysm and 16 hemostatic) for compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging. From their findings, they recommend that the use of ferromagnetic clips be discontinued and that until this is accomplished, a record of the type of clips used be noted so that the patient is not placed at risk by the use of magnetic resonance imaging or deprived of the diagnostic benefits associated with its use.