Effect of 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging on various pressure programmable shunt valves.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the changes in the valve pressure setting of several magnetic pressure-programmable valves after exposure to a 3-tesla magnetic field.


METHODS
Five each of four types of pressure-programmable shunt valves were tested: Sophy Polaris, Sophy SM8, Codman-Hakim, and Medtronic Strata. First, the valves were advanced toward the 3-tesla static magnetic field. Second, T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were generated with a radiofrequency magnetic field. Any changes in the pressure setting were observed by visual inspection with a compass or radiography. The pressure settings were changed after exposure to the static magnetic field in all programmable valves except for the Sophy Polaris. All pressure settings studied were unchanged after exposure to both static and radiofrequency magnetic fields (T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted MR imaging) in the Sophy Polaris.


CONCLUSIONS
The Sophy Polaris valve allows shunt-dependent patients who need a programmable valve to undergo 3-tesla MR imaging.
Inoue
Takashi
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Morioka, Japan. tainoue@iwate-med.ac.jp
Kuzu
Yasutaka
Y
Ogasawara
Kuniaki
K
Ogawa
Akira
A
D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000295:instrumentation*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery*; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D012984:Software