Before performing an mri, why must technicians ask patients if they have any steel inside their body?

During MRI scan strong magnetic fields are used. The presence of any metallic object during the scan would magnetize itself and will be pulled towards the magnet with a force that is harmful to the human skin.

Further Explanation:

A process that brings about detailed images of the tissues and organs of the body without using X-rays is called magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Instead of X-rays, it uses a magnetic field in order to produce radio waves for creating high-quality images. These clear images can be used in the determination of an injury in the internal parts of the body.

The procedure of the scan is conducted through an MRI machine that is donut-shaped. The patient lies facing upwards and moves into the machine from one end. As the machine is switched on, the magnetic field is generated which aligns the protons from the human body. The radio waves thus formed causes the protons to create electric signals that are received by the machine in order to form a clear image of the internal organs or tissues.

The high-power magnets inside the MRI machine do most of its work. Due to high magnetic fields, it is important to be cautious inside the scan room. Before undergoing an MRI, the technician might ask a person whether he/she has steel or metal inserted inside the body. This is because the strong magnetic fields might magnetize the metallic object. A material susceptible to magnetization can easily accept a magnetic field. Therefore, while entering a scan room, anything which might get magnetized must be removed. The magnet may pull the metallic object towards itself with such a force that the metal may break open the weak surfaces in order to make its way towards the magnet. In a case where the metallic object is present inside the human body, the pulling of the object in the presence of a magnetic field might rip off the skin and result in a wound. Therefore, it is generally asked beforehand to a person about any metallic insertion in the body so as to avoid such circumstances.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Subject: Biology

Keywords:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, magnetic field, magnetization, protons, radio waves, electric signals, high-quality image, internal organs.