Off-label magnetic resonance imaging of an InterStim II sacral nerve stimulator device

The InterStim II (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) sacral nerve stimulator has been approved for MRI scanning of the head only. All other body areas are contraindicated by the manufacturer. This report presents the successful MRI examination of the left hand in a patient with an InterStim II device. Following an assessment of the risks and benefits of proceeding with the scan it was shown that there were minimal additional risks, which could be easily managed with appropriate patient positioning, coil selection and other established techniques. Informed consent was obtained and the scan completed without incident. Following the scan the patient reported full functioning of the device. MRI of the hand is feasible in patients with InterStim II implants using transmit/receive coils with appropriate risk controls in place. Further study of the safety of MRI of other body regions in InterStim II patients is appropriate.