Magnetic resonance imaging in patients with self-locating peritoneal catheters: Is it safe?

The fact that self-locating catheters have a piece of metal at the tip leads to doubt and uncertainty around performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with this type of catheter. We simulated a peritoneum with a weighted catheter to ascertain how the catheter behaved during MRI scans in 1.5T and 3T machines. We also reviewed cases in which MRI had been performed in patients with this type of catheter. In the simulation, the tip of the self-locating peritoneal catheter caused a magnetic susceptibility artefact that made it difficult to see nearby areas, but it proved to be a safe device for MRI. 14 MRI scans were performed in patients with self-locating catheters, none in the abdominal area. There were no complications in the patients or the technique after performing MRI.