Falling post-MRI examinations: 2 case reports

Benard Ohene Botwe; William K Antwi; Bismark Bright Ofori-Manteaw

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03949

Falling post-MRI examinations: 2 case reports

Heliyon. 2020 May 22;6(5):e03949. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03949. eCollection 2020 May.

Authors

Benard Ohene Botwe¹, William K Antwi¹, Bismark Bright Ofori-Manteaw²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiography, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Box KB143, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.
² Department of Medical Imaging, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Box PMB 31, Ho, Ghana.

Abstract

Background: The phenomenon where ambulant patients suffer sudden falls during the process of getting off the couch and walking to the changing room post magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination is uncommon. However, it can be a very disturbing experience for such patients. Therefore, there is the need to effectively support patients to avoid falls when they are getting off the MRI couch when the examination is completed.

Methods: Two ambulant patients who had undergone MRI were observed to have lost their balance when they attempted to get off from the MRI couch after their procedures. Face-to-face interrogations were made about what they felt.

Results: The two patients complained of experiencing some form of dizziness/vertigo when they got off the MRI couch.

Conclusion: This paper reported two cases of falls that occurred in an MRI facility. The aim was to emphasize the need for extra care and support for all patients who undergo MRI examinations due to the potential risk of MRI induced vertigo or dizziness regardless of the patient's condition.

Keywords: Case report; Clinical research; Dizziness; Evidence-based medicine; Fall; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical imaging; Radiology; Vertigo.

Publication types

Case Reports