Magnetic-field-induced Vertigo in the MR Environment

Glover, Paul

Abstract

This article discusses the theory behind, and the experimental evidence for, the perception of vertigo in a high magnetic field found in an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. In this case, the term ‘vertigo’ is not used in its clinical sense, but as a general term indicating any nonveridical sensory effect attributed to the presence of a strong magnetic field. For example, even MRI specialists, on their first encounter with a 7‐T magnet respond by saying that they perceive something ‘a bit different.’ They cannot identify exactly what it is, they do not fall over or become nauseous (motion sickness). However, it is perceived, the effect can be measured and analyzed with careful experiment. Surveys of subjects undergoing 7 T or higher MRI scans report that, although there is a high perception of vertigo‐like effects, these are not intolerable and are not generally the cause of subject withdrawal. This article attempts to understand the biological and physical processes involved.

Citation

Glover, P. (2019). Magnetic-field-induced Vertigo in the MR Environment. In eMagRes (191-197). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470034590.emrstm1607

• Acceptance Date: Jun 11, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 12, 2019
• Publication Date: Jun 12, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 21, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 13, 2021
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 191-197
• Book Title: eMagRes
• Chapter Number: Vol. 8, Issue 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470034590.emrstm1607
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2213236
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/9780470034590.emrstm1607
• Related Public URLs: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9780470034590
• Additional Information: The version posted is the submitted version accepted for publication.
• Contract Date: Jun 21, 2019