Detection of implanted metallic devices by airport security.
OBJECTIVE
Permanent metallic implants are commonly placed by interventional radiologists. The authors evaluate the ability of these and various orthopedic devices to be detected by airport security metal detectors.


METHODS
A variety of commonly placed radiologic and orthopedic implants were evaluated by three types of metal detectors at Toronto International Airport.


RESULTS
No radiologic devices were detected by walk-through detectors. Metal-containing ports were the only device to set off the hand-held scanners.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiology patients can be reassured that their devices will not set off walk-through airport security metal detectors, however, some metallic ports may be detected by hand-held scanning devices.
Asch
M
M
Department of Medical Imaging, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.
Liu
D
D
Mawdsley
G
G
D001359:Aviation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D012637:Security Measures / Q000592:standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D008670:Metals