title: Subjective symptoms and their evolution in a small group of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) operators recently engaged.
abstract: Using a specific questionnaire, we examined subjective symptoms in a group of 17 physicians (9 males and 8 females, mean age 32.9 ± 3.71), attending a Postgraduate Medical School in Radiology and engaged in MRI for less than 1 year. Sixteen subjects (94%) reported the presence of at least one of the investigated symptoms during the period of MRI activity. The main symptoms were: unusual drowsiness/tiredness (88%), concentration problems (82%), headaches (76%), sleep disorders (47%), nausea (47%), illusion of movement (47%) and dizziness/vertigo (35%); the former two were subjectively related to MRI by the majority of the operators. These symptoms appeared (or worsened) in more than 15 min and, in the vast majority disappeared 30 min, or more, after the end of exposure. In 13 subjects (81%), the symptom (or some symptoms) appeared at least weekly. In this small group of health care workers recently exposed to MRI, the prevalence of subjective symptoms was higher than reported in other similar studies but, notably, the majority of subjects (77%) reported a regression within 4-8 weeks, suggesting some form of adaptation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Diagnostic , Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanotti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Diagnostic , Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ligabue
authors.affiliation: a Department of Diagnostic , Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gobba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Acute effect; human MRI safety; occupational MRI exposure; static magnetic field; subjective symptoms; time-varying magnetic field