Functionality of implanted microchips following magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the functionality of implanted microchips following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 53 client-owned patients implanted with a microchip undergoing MRI of various areas of the body for a variety of medical conditions. PROCEDURES: General anesthesia was induced, and each patient's microchip was scanned with a universal microchip scanner; the chip number was recorded. Patients were transported to the MRI suite, and MRI was completed. Patients were moved out of the magnetic environment, and microchips were scanned again. Patient information and chip number were recorded. Chip numbers before and after MRI were compared. RESULTS: For all 53 microchips scanned from 53 patients, the same number was read accurately following MRI of a variety of sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data indicated that MRI did not interfere with the functionality of these microchips. This information is valuable for practitioners recommending MRI for their patients and for clients who have invested in implanting a microchip in their pets.