The Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-compatible Pacemakers in Neurosurgical Patients

Artificial implantable pacemakers have long been a challenge to neurosurgeons seeking to perform advanced diagnostic imaging on their patients. Unfortunately, while the use of implantable pacemakers has been a life-saving advance for those with cardiac arrhythmias, they also often prevent these patients from undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There have been multiple reported cases of pacemaker failure in the context of MRI use. Recent technological advances, however, have allowed the development of pacemakers that are not affected by the MRI scanner. Similar technology has also been applied to the development of MRI-compatible spinal cord stimulators and other neurostimulation devices. In this paper, we discuss four specific neurosurgical cases where the use of MRI was critical for diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. Current non-MRI-compatible pacemakers were exchanged for MRI-compatible pacemaker technology with some associated cost and risk. The diagnostic cranial and spinal MRIs subsequently obtained were critical for forging the ensuing neurosurgical care. Based on these cases, we extrapolate the importance of MRI-compatible pacemakers to society at large and advocate for the use of such devices in all patients going forward.