Discussion: Bad MRI Experience Due to Tattoo?
Sunday April 29, 2007
bridgetvoid writes: "I have a large 10-year-old black and gray tattoo on my lower back, and
I needed to have an MRI on the exact same area because there is a
hemangioma there. During the MRI my tattoo got hot so we stopped the MRI. 15 minutes later I was experiencing tachycardia, high blood pressure, and had a terrible metallic taste in my mouth.
Is it possible that the ink from the tattoo got into my bloodstream if it was destabilized by the MRI? Have you ever heard of any really adverse MRI/tattoo stories outside of tattoos simply getting hot? The tattoo is slightly less than 10 years old; would ink that young have [more] metal or iron oxide than newer inks? Has anyone experienced anything like this?
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I have a full backpiece as well as several other tats, and I’ve had a couple of MRIs with no side effects at all. The MRI affects ferrous metals, so it shouldn’t affect a tat.
i have seen on a reputable television programme as well as have heard from several people, including my tat artist, that tattoo inks from around 10 or more years ago contained a high amount of iron oxide, leading to the burning sensation when undergoing an MRI….some people were afraid that the ink would get so hot it would literally burst out your skin, but that was disproved……iron is a ferrous metal, so i assume thats where the problem lies……
Raven…
I’ve had 3 MRI’s. I’m covered with tattoos. I had no problems at all. Depends on what type of ink was used. My ink used was star brite, non-toxic pure organtic. Not all inks are!
Hi all: I too have tattoos and have had many MRIs done. I was told that most North American inks are safe (but as we all know there are always exceptions) but inks from some European countries, Carribean and/or South American can sometimes cause problems. My MRI tech told me not to worry about it, but like the person who posted the original question, if it starts to get too warm, let the tech know at once. Thanks
Had double MRI yesterday and found out today about possibe problems. Thought the symptoms were just “me”. Got REAL hot during scan and trouble swallowing (one of reasons I was there). They had 1 pre-scanning question about tattoos and I answered yes. They didn’t ask further. Had to have someone come and drive me home and I went straight to bed. On the couch all day feeling “crappy”. Will pursue different avenues next time.
YOU ALL ARE WRONG.. YOU ALL NEED A HOBBIE.