We present a case of unintended displacement of a manufacturer-provided external magnetic puck (splint), which occurred during an MRI scan in a patient with an auditory implant, highlighting the associated risks and potential for harm....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Clinicians and radiology staff should implement firm head-bandaging protocols and confirm magnet removal or implant MRI-compatibility before any scan — this case reinforces existing safety guidance and warrants a protocol review at sites performing MRI on implant patients.
MRI safety in cochlear implant recipients remains an underappreciated clinical hazard; this case adds to a growing evidence base that existing bandaging and screening protocols need to be consistently and rigorously applied.
- 01A case report documents displacement of an external magnetic puck during MRI in an auditory implant user.
- 02The projectile risk from unsecured external magnets poses direct patient harm during MRI.
- 03Published in Cochlear Implants International; reinforces the need for pre-MRI implant screening checklists.
- 04Head-bandaging technique is highlighted as a preventive measure, though not always sufficient alone.
- 05Incident underscores the importance of multidisciplinary coordination between audiology and radiology teams.
External magnetic pucks on auditory implants can become projectiles during MRI, posing a safety risk.
studysupportedHead bandaging is a recommended preventive measure to reduce the risk of magnetic puck displacement during MRI.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42578815
- DOI
- 10.1080/14670100.2026.2680388.
- Journal
- Cochlear Implants International
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Patient with auditory implant undergoing MRI
- Intervention
- MRI imaging in the presence of an auditory implant with external magnetic puck
Primary outcomes
Displacement of external magnetic puck during MRI; Patient safety outcomes related to projectile risk