Biological effects, patient experience, and occupational safety

The experience of biological effects differs between individuals regarding frequency of experience, strength of the experienced effect, and individual perception of discomfort. Apart from differences in individual predisposition, a variety of circumstances related to the scanner, the examination, and patient care will further influence the experience of bioeffects. This chapter discusses these aspects along with suggestions on how to minimize the occurrence of bioeffects for subjects and personnel and how to increase patient comfort. Most experienced or measurable bioeffects are short term and fading when exposure to the electromagnetic fields used in MR is ceased or shortly thereafter. Psychological reactions prior to and during examinations are more unpredictable and less studied. Known long-term effects are related to breaches of MR safety routines and comprise hearing loss or human injury related to projectiles, implants, or burns.