New Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Findings Have Been Reported from T. Nakai et al

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Week -- Research findings on Magnetic Resonance Imaging are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting out of Tokyo, Japan, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "The maximum limit of MR scanner noise and necessity of ear protection is defined in the IEC standard (IEC60601-2-33) of MR safety. With improvements in MR scanner performance, pulse sequences generating higher scanning noise have been used clinically."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research, "In this study, we investigated the factors significantly related to potential acoustic trauma cases (PATC) after MR examinations. To consider the future direction for MR safety and prevention of acoustic trauma, issues related to noise generation by MR scanners and acoustic trauma were systematically reviewed. A statistical analysis was performed using the data set from a survey (n = 974) conducted in 2010 by the JSMRM safety committee. Hierarchical clustering analysis was used to extract the characteristics of the responders. With this classification as a reference, tests of independence and a residual analysis were employed to evaluate the factors related to PATC. No significant relationship was observed between the ear protection policy and the incidence or the reported outcome of PATC. While the two main clusters out of the six clusters extracted were associated with who reported the PATC and the confirmation process of the acoustic noise level of MR scanners, no cluster was associated with the frequency of PATC. An absence of PATC was significantly less reported (p = 0.03) and more PATC was reported (p = 0.04) by facilities with 3T MR systems. Although the total frequency was 4 cases, it should be noted that persistent hearing disturbances are a possible consequence of MR examinations. Neither the condition of the subjects nor the ear protection method was significantly related to the probability of PATC, suggesting the difficulty of predicting the potential risk of acoustic trauma."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "It is recommended to more systematically follow up PATC cases and clarify the risk factors."

For more information on this research see: A Survey Analysis of Acoustic Trauma Related to MR Scans. Magnetic Resonance in Medical Sciences, 2012;11(4):253-264. Magnetic Resonance in Medical Sciences can be contacted at: Jpn Soc Magnetic Resonance In Medicine, Gotanda Park Side Bldg 4F, 5 24 9 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo, 141-0022, Japan (see also Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting T. Nakai, Japanese Soc Magnet Resonance Med, MR Safety Comm, Tokyo, Japan.

Keywords for this news article include: Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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