title: Guidance of magnetic resonance imaging and placement of skin-marker localization devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A variety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible skin-marker localization devices are available on the market. MRI protocols call for the liberal use of the skin markers over the specific site of symptoms or over any palpable mass. This study investigates the usefulness of patient-assisted placement of 1 000-mg fish oil capsules as skin markers over the area of maximum localized pain, signs, or symptoms and correlates this placement with any potential underlying neuropathology or potential pain generator.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred symptomatic patients undergoing MRI were assessed for focal or localized signs or symptoms. Under the direction of a physician and with guidance from the patient, the MRI technician placed a 1 000-mg fish-oil capsule over the area of maximum pain or signs and symptoms. Patients with poorly localized, diffuse symptoms or an area of maximal signs and symptoms outside the field of view of the MRI were not included in this study. All MRI exams were reviewed by clinical physicians and radiologists or neuroimaging physicians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 100 cases, the images show clearly visible MRI-compatible skin-surface markers that correlate with potential underlying neuropathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that 1 000-mg fish-oil capsules can be used as MRI localization devices as a cost-effective alternative to more expensive commercially available devices.
authors.affiliation: Spine and Brain Neurosurgical Center, Lexington, KY 40522-2430, USA. correspondence@sbncmd.com
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Herder
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Mick
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gyarteng-Dakwa
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Broughton
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001416:Back Pain / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002214:Capsules; D005395:Fish Oils; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009493:Neurosurgery; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D005395:Fish Oils