Researchers retrospectively studied 18 patients with cochlear implants who underwent MRI. Only 13 completed the MRI. The other five couldn’t finish it because of severe pain, even though their heads were wrapped in elastic gauze as recommended by guidelines. The implant’s internal magnet was displaced in one of these patients. Another patient required surgery to have the magnet removed and reinserted. Patient complications were not restricted to brain MRIs.

Artifacts were observed in images of patients who underwent brain MRIs.

The authors conclude: “Prior to an MRI scan, patients with [cochlear implants] must fully understand not only the potential complications but also the potential discomforts that they may experience during the scan. Appropriate sedation and head positioning can alleviate patient discomfort or pain during MRI scans.”