If I have a clip, coils, or a cerebral stent, can I have an MRI?
Many people with a clip, coils, or a cerebral stent can have an MRI, but only after the implant has been identified and confirmed with radiology.
By Dr. Martin Roberto Casas MartínezNov 9, 20266 min read
In this article
- Why does the metal in a clip, coils, or stent matter for an MRI?
- How can I identify exactly which device I have?
- Who confirms that an MRI is safe with my implant?
- What happens if I can't confirm which implant I have?
- What should I ask before treatment about the implant and future imaging studies?
- Frequently asked questions
- What should I ask the team before scheduling the MRI?
- References
Summary: Many people with a clip, coils, or a brain stent can have an MRI, but devices are not all the same, and no one should enter the scanner without first identifying the implant. Radiology needs the exact name and model—from the device card or operative report—to confirm the conditions under which the study is safe; without that identification, the MRI may be postponed or replaced with another test.
If you have a clip, coils, or a brain stent, you may wonder whether you can have an MRI both after treatment and while deciding on treatment. A clip is a metal clamp that closes off the aneurysm neck from the outside; coils are thin wires wound inside the aneurysm; a stent is a metal mesh that supports the coils or reshapes the artery. All three are made of metal, and MRI uses magnets.
Why does the metal in a clip, coils, or stent matter for an MRI?
Because MRI uses very powerful magnets and radio waves, not X-rays; that is why metal objects are not allowed in the room and any implant must be reported beforehand. Institutional lists specifically mention brain aneurysm clips and vascular stents.
The fact that an implant is made of metal does not mean that MRI is prohibited: coils, for example, are made of platinum wire thinner than a hair. What differs from one device to another are the conditions under which the manufacturer has tested its safety. Those conditions can only be verified if the exact model is known.
How can I identify exactly which device I have?
The device is identified on the implant card, which is usually provided at discharge, and in the operative or embolization report, which lists the manufacturer, trade name, and model. Saying “I have coils” or “they put in a clip” is not enough for radiology.
- •Device card: Keep it with your ID and take a photo of it.
- •Procedure report: Request a copy if you don't have one.
- •Hospital discharge summary from the hospital where you received treatment.
- •Follow-up imaging studies, which sometimes describe the implant.
If the procedure was performed in another city or years ago, the hospital and your care team may be able to help locate the report; do this before an imaging study becomes urgent.
Who confirms that an MRI is safe with my implant?
Radiology—the technologist and radiologist—checks the model against the manufacturer's conditions before you enter the room, and your care team confirms which implant was placed. Patient guidance recommends asking your surgeon whether it will be safe to have head imaging studies in the future.
When scheduling, tell them about the implant and provide its identification; on the day of the study, you will be asked to complete a safety questionnaire. Answer using documents, not memory: having had an MRI without problems before is useful information, but it does not replace verification. Also report any other implants (pacemakers, valves, neurostimulators, cochlear implants) and whether you have kidney disease, because contrast (gadolinium) can be harmful for patients with kidney problems who require dialysis.
What happens if I can't confirm which implant I have?
If it is not possible to identify the device, the prudent choice is not to enter the scanner. Radiology may postpone the study while the report is located, or the ordering doctor may consider another test that answers the same question, such as a CT angiogram or catheter angiogram.
A CT angiogram uses X-rays and contrast, not magnets; catheter angiography also uses X-rays and contrast, but requires inserting a catheter through an artery. Which one is appropriate depends on what your doctor needs to see and your situation. Entering an MRI scanner without identifying the implant is not an acceptable risk just to save time.
What should I ask before treatment about the implant and future imaging studies?
If you are still deciding on treatment, ask which device would be placed, whether it allows you to have MRIs afterward and under what conditions, and how follow-up will be done. After an aneurysm repair, imaging of the blood vessels is usually recommended before discharge and, in some cases, periodically for a few years.
Follow-up may require angiography, CT angiography, or MR angiography (MRA, an MRI focused on the blood vessels), and it is helpful to know which one will be used in your case. Ask for the implant card and a copy of the report when you are discharged, and keep them with your images.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to report the implant even if the MRI is of my knee and not my head?
Yes. Even if the MRI is of another part of your body, report the brain implant before entering the room. Radiology must verify the model and the safety conditions for the planned study.
My procedure was many years ago and I don't have a card: what should I do?
Request the operative report from the hospital where the procedure was performed and discuss it with your care team. Devices from earlier eras may have different conditions, so compatibility should not be assumed; until it is confirmed, radiology may suggest another study.
Can I ask for a CT scan instead of an MRI to avoid the problem?
You can bring it up, but the decision rests with the ordering doctor: each study answers different questions, and a CT scan involves radiation and contrast. The usual approach is to first try to identify the implant and only then consider alternatives.
What should I ask the team before scheduling the MRI?
If you develop a sudden, severe headache or another sudden neurological symptom, call 911: a scheduled test is not a substitute for emergency care. Outside of that situation, bring the card or report and ask:
- •What is the exact manufacturer and model of my implant, and which document lists it?
- •Who in radiology will confirm the safety conditions before the study?
- •If it cannot be confirmed, what alternative test can answer the same clinical question?
To prepare your questions, you can learn more about differences between arterial imaging studies and treatment with coils.
For non-urgent questions or to request an individual assessment, you can contact the office.
Informational notice: This content is for informational purposes and does not replace a medical consultation or constitute a diagnosis.
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