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Penile Implants

Several types of penile implants and prostheses have been evaluated for magnetic field interactions associated with MR systems. Of these, two (i.e., the Duraphase and Omniphase models) demonstrated substantial ferromagnetic qualities when exposed to a 1.5-Tesla MR system. 

Fortunately, it is unlikely for a penile implant to severely injure a patient undergoing an MR procedure because of the degree of magnetic field interactions associated with the 1.5-Tesla MR system. This is especially true when one considers the manner in which this device is utilized.

Nevertheless, it would be uncomfortable for a patient with a ferromagnetic penile implant to undergo an MR examination. For this reason, subjecting a patient with the Duraphase or Omniphase penile implant to the MR environment or an MR procedure is inadvisable unless proper stabilization can be used, such as applying an elastic wrap  or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent movement of the implant in association with MRI.

MRI Information at 3-Tesla and Penile Implants. 
MRI at 3-Tesla and Penile Implants. Several different penile implants have been tested in association with 3-Tesla MR systems. Findings for these specific penile implants indicated that they either exhibited no magnetic field interactions or relatively minor or “weak” magnetic field interactions. Accordingly, these specific penile implants are considered acceptable for patients undergoing MR procedures using MR systems operating at 3-Tesla or less and according to the MR conditional labeling (see The List).

REFERENCES
Lowe G, et al. A catalog of magnetic resonance imaging compatibility of penile prostheses. J Sex Med. 2012;9:1482-1487.

Shellock FG, Crues JV, Editors. MRI Bioeffects, Safety, and Patient Management. Biomedical Research Publishing Group, Los Angeles, CA, 2014.

Shellock FG, Crues JV, Sacks SA. High-field magnetic resonance imaging of penile prostheses: in vitro evaluation of deflection forces and imaging artifacts Abstract. In: Book of Abstracts, Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Berkeley, CA: Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 1987;3:915.


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