Subjective perception of safety in healthy individuals working with 7T MRI scanners: a retrospective multicenter survey.

Abstract

To retrospectively assess perception of safety of healthy individuals working with human 7Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. A total of 66 healthy individuals with a mean age of 31±7years participated in this retrospective multicentre survey study. Nonparametric correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the relation between self-reported perception of safety and prevalence of sensory effects while working with 7T MRI scanners for an average 47months. The results indicated that 98.5% of the study participants had a neutral or positive feeling about safety aspects at 7T MRI scanners. 45.5% reported that they feel very safe and none of the participants stated that they feel moderately or very unsafe while working with 7T MRI scanners. Perception of safety was not affected by the number of hours per week spent in the vicinity of the 7T MRI scanner or the duration of experience with 7T MRI. More than 50% of individuals experienced vertigo and metallic taste while working with 7T MRI scanners. However, participants' perceptions of safety were not affected by the prevalence of MR-related symptoms. The overall data indicated an average perception of a moderately safe work environment. To our knowledge, this study delineates the first attempt to assess the subjective safety perception among 7T MRI workers and suggests further investigations are indicated.