Entered MRI Room Wearing Metal Necklace Despite Warnings, Critically Injured

Metal Necklace Reacts to Magnetic Field, Causing Accident
Similar Incidents Have Repeatedly Occurred in the Past

According to a report by Yonhap News on July 18, citing The New York Times, a man in New York State suffered a critical injury after he illegally entered an MRI examination room while wearing a metal necklace and was pulled by the machine's strong magnetic field.

A man wearing a metal necklace illegally entered an MRI examination room and was pulled by the strong magnetic field of the machine, resulting in a critical condition (photo is for illustrative purposes and unrelated to the article). Pixabay

The New York Times (NYT) reported on July 17 (local time) that the incident occurred the previous afternoon at the "Nassau Open MRI" center in Long Island, New York. According to police, the man involved in the accident is 61 years old. He entered the examination room without authorization and was wearing a metal chain around his neck at the time. His identity has not been disclosed.

The MRI center in question is known to operate both closed and open MRI machines. The center did not respond to NYT's request for comment regarding the incident.

MRI is a diagnostic procedure that can precisely detect lesions in soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The scan typically takes about 30 to 50 minutes. It works by converting the response of hydrogen atoms in the human body into images using a strong magnetic field. If metal comes into contact with the magnetic field, it can generate heat and cause burns. For this reason, wearing any metal objects?including earrings, watches, piercings, or chain necklaces?is strictly prohibited before undergoing an MRI scan. Additionally, individuals with implants containing iron may be restricted from undergoing the procedure altogether.

Understanding the magnetic characteristics of MRI machines and strictly following safety protocols is extremely important. However, similar accidents have repeatedly occurred in the past. In 2023, at a hospital in California, the MRI machine was operated while a bed remained in the examination room, causing the bed to be pulled by the magnetic field and collide with the MRI equipment. During this incident, a nurse sustained serious injuries. In 2018, in India, a man lost his life after entering an MRI examination room carrying an oxygen tank, which was pulled by the machine's magnetic field.

Heated innerwear and masks containing metal can also be dangerous

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has warned that wearing heated innerwear should also be avoided, considering these risks. Heated innerwear is made by coating fibers with metallic substances such as silver or aluminum to reflect body heat, but these metals can react with the MRI's magnetic field and cause burns.

Wearing masks is no exception. In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reiterated safety precautions by recommending the use of masks without metal nosepieces during MRI scans. At that time, there was a reported case in which a patient suffered facial burns after wearing a mask containing metal during an MRI. The FDA specifically advised against using masks with antibacterial coatings made of silver or copper, masks containing metallic nanoparticles, or those with wire nosepieces.