An in-vivo study of the safety of copper-containing intrauterine devices in 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: Abdominal imaging 2024-12, Vol.49 (12), p.4592-4599
• Main Authors: Moy, Jeffrey, Landon, Matthew, Vigilante, John, Lehmann, Benjamin, DeChambeau, Amber, Rohlfing, Frederick, Marks, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Canals (anatomy); Cervix; Copper; Endometrium; Female; Fractures; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Humans; Imaging; Intrauterine devices; Intrauterine Devices, Copper - adverse effects; IUD; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Pain; Pelvis; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Uterus; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2366-0058; 2366-004X; 2366-0058
• DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04493-4

Purpose The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate whether women with copper-containing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD), currently listed as MR conditional, can safely undergo 3.0 Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods 73 women, age 18–54 years old, with a Cu-IUD who were undergoing MRI for any reason were included consecutively. Pre- and post-MRI standard pelvic ultrasound examinations were completed to determine the appropriate pre- and post-MRI positioning of the Cu-IUD. Displaced IUDs were defined by IUD crossbars not in the fundal portion of the endometrial cavity, a visualized tip in the mid or lower uterus, any part of the device located in the cervical canal or outside of the endometrial canal, a fractured device, or a non-visualized IUD. Additionally, a questionnaire was completed by participants to determine the level of pre- and post-MRI pelvic pain. Results There were zero observed displaced Cu-IUDs on post-MRI pelvic ultrasounds (p = 0/70, 95% CI 0, .043). Three participants were dropped from the study due to malpositioned IUDs on pre-MRI pelvic ultrasound. Six patients reported new or worsening pelvic pain/discomfort during or after their MRI examination. Conclusion Our results suggest that performing 3 T MRI using a low SAR setting does not cause displacement of Cu-IUDs, with zero out of 70 patients demonstrating IUD displacement. Graphical Abstract