Surgeon Survey Shows No Adverse Events With MRI in Patients With Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods (MCGRs)

Abstract

Study DesignSurgeon survey. ObjectivesTo determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following implantation of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) is associated with any adverse events. Summary of Background DataMagnetically controlled growing rods have been shown to reduce the need for repeated surgical procedures and improve costs when compared to traditional growing rods, but concerns about MRI compatibility exist. MRIs are often clinically indicated in the EOS population. MethodsPediatric spine surgeons who are members of the Growing Spine Study Group, Children's Spine Study Group, and early international users of this technology were surveyed regarding MRI use after performing MCGR surgery. ResultsA total of 118 surgeons were surveyed. Four surgeons reported that 10 patients had an MRI with an implanted MCGR. Loss of fixation (0%, 0/10), movement of implants (0%, 0/10), unintended lengthening/shortening (0%, 0/10), or noticeable heating of MCGR (0%, 0/10) were not observed. No problems were observed with function of the MCGR following MRI, and a mean of 2.1 mm was obtained at the next lengthening (range, 0.5-3.0 mm). Two patients had brain MRIs, both of which could be interpreted. All cervical spine MRIs could be interpreted without excessive artifact (100%, 7/7). Six patients had MRIs of the thoracic or lumbar spine, but these were considered uninterpretable as a result of artifact from the MCGR device (0%, 0/6). ConclusionThese are the first reported cases of MRI use in humans with MCGR. There were no adverse events observed. MCGR rods lengthened as expected following MRI. MRIs of the brain and cervical spine were able to be interpreted, but MRIs of the thoracolumbar spine could not be interpreted because of MCGR artifact. MRIs can be safely performed in patients with MCGRs; however, MRIs of thoracic and thoracolumbar spine may be of limited clinical benefit because of artifact. Level of EvidenceLevel IV, case series.