The Dangers of Fabric in MRI

Abstract

Thermal burns are the most common injury sustained during MRI. Textiles such as clothing and blankets, and most recently fabric face masks are emerging as key factors when considering such thermal injuries. Fabric can trap heat and sweat close to the body and fabric containing metallic fibers can interact with MRI's RF waves to induce burns, which represents the majority of reported fabric-related thermal injury cases. This may be exacerbated by a lack of comprehensive labeling when fabrics contain trace amounts of metals. This review outlines case reports and makes suggestions that may reduce the frequency of these burns. The single most effective way to reduce the danger of fabric-induced MRI burns is to require all patients to change into MR-safe clothing, such as approved hospital gowns, prior to imaging.