UltraSonogram (USG) in the lower abdomen - should I inform ahead that I have an implant and reservoir placed?

[proctor]

Hi
Need to perform an USG in the lower abdomen. DO I have to tell them that I have an implant and a reservoir is placed in my abdomen? Is there any chance of damage due to USG?

[Lost Sheep]

If you don't tell them, they are sure to find it

Seriously, just tell them when you go in for the procedure so they will know what it is and are prepared to look past it (if that is necessary). There is no danger presented to the device or to you. It's not like putting metal foil in a microwave. They do ultrasounds to fetuses in utero.

[proctor]

Thanks LS. You are one of the most knowledgeable person in this forum

[Patrick123]

Is there any medical exam that could be hazardous to our implant?
Mri , Ct etc. ?
I would inform before any of the above that I have an implant, as LS has said they will certainly find it haha !!

[Quincy]

I've had one surgery, 1 ultrasound, and 2 CT scans in my pelvic are since getting my implant. Have also made a visit to the ER with lower abdominal issues. Each time, I thought it appropriate to tell the doctors and the people doing the scans. They seemed to appreciate the openness and upfront information. I'd do the same if I had it to do over again.

I also did some physical therapy in the pelvic area and the PT seemed glad to know that there were differences in my body that he'd have to account for.

Most of the people doing these things have seen everything, including things like men pushing things up one orifice or another. A penile implant is a sound medical solution to a real medical problem. Nothing to be squeamish about, IMO.

Good luck with whatever is causing the problem.

Quincy.

[Gt1956]

Is there any medical exam that could be hazardous to our implant?
Mri , Ct etc. ?
I would inform before any of the above that I have an implant, as LS has said they will certainly find it haha !!

You ask a good question. I'll give you my laymans opinion. Of all the devices that I know of that are commonly implanted in people. It sure looks to me like IPP's are very simple & made from benign materials. No batteries or exotic metals. Might not even be a spring in the pump. Tubing has been implanted for ages. That leaves the cylinders & they appear to be extremely well tolerated by the body so I don't think any of the scanning method would change that.

[evank64052]

The answer to your question should be in a card given you by your doctor. MRI is the only modality that there is a caution warning. Your implant reads the same as a Titan (Medtronic) with a conditional warning. That means to a MR tech, I want to see a card, as mentioned, or an ops (operation report) to identify the manufacturer and model number. That will then send the tech to the computer to look up any and all implants. That website, or book, is "Shellock". He is the god of MRI safety. CT, US, Xray will have no effect on the implant but an MR may increase the temperature due to cylinders, the hose mechanism or the pump. A good tech, knows they have a limited amount of time, may elect to turn down the SARs (specific absorption rate) which is what increases the temperature. SARs tells the magnetic how hard you want to hit a specific piece of anatomy, the number of echoes obtaining the images, etc. There are certain protocols in MR imaging that won't be used (ie, diffusion) because of the increase in SAR or possible artifact given off by the implant which makes the images non-diagnostic. So, back to your question. Get the card from your doctor about you implant. It will save the tech time and be a lot safer.

[Agfa13]

Had to revive this because, although its my head that will be having the MRI/MRA, do they need to know of my Titan implant?