histological study on the effect of repeated exposure to MRI lumber spine protocol on Swiss Albino Rats

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to investigate the bio-effects of repeated exposure to high intensity electromagnetic fields [EMFs] used in the medical field. An in vivo study was done by using repeated exposure of Swiss Albino Rats to MRI machine [1.5 Tesla, 64.85MHZ]. The rats were exposed to combination of both magnetic fields and radio frequency electromagnetic fields, daily for 30 minutes, 1 hour, three times per week for 2 weeks. The exposure was under the protocol of lumber spine scanning. A histological study was conducted on some of the rats' vital organs and rats' body weight to detect any cellular effects. A significant reduction in the rats body weights gain was detected. The histological findings were severe hemorrhage, necrosis in cardiac muscles, kidney, liver, dilatation of blood vessels in bone marrow, bone cartilage atrophy. No histological changes were detected in all the organs of the control group, in addition there is no reduction in their body weight. The above results showed that there is a big doubt about the safety of MRI techniques as far as the results and the literature review indicates severe effects on some vital organs. Therefore the safety considerations as repeated exposure to the MRI techniques must be reviewed and needs to be clearer