Assessing RF-induced heating safety of MRI scans with shoulder implants at 7T

Motivation: Brain MRI with shoulder implants are often contraindicated at 7T with head coils due to possibility of radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating. Such implants are not uncommon in older adults; contraindication results in increasing proportion of elderly to be denied high-field scans. Assessing heating safety of MRI at 7T with implants is of significance. Goal(s): To measure shoulder implant heating during MRI at 7T with pTx head coils and assess safety thereof. Approach: Temperature of a reverse total shoulder implant was measured with fluoroptic sesnors during MRI at Siemens 7T Terra with pTX head coil. Results: No significant heating (>1°C) of the implant was observed. Impact: Findings from this study may enable brain scanning individuals with shoulder implant at 7T, thus making improved image quality a possibility.