Latest news with #MagneticResonance
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
MRI scanner death: Daughter reveals desperate struggle to save dad sucked into machine
Keith McAllister, 61, died after being dragged in by his necklace after he answered his wife's request for help as she looked on in horror while the machine 'snatched him' The family of a man who died after being sucked into an MRI machine frantically tried to free him for almost an hour. Keith McAllister, 61, died after being pulled in wearing a 9kg weight-training chain around his neck while his wife was undergoing a scan. He suffered fatal injuries in the freak accident while his wife Adrienne Jones-McAllister's knee was being examined at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island, New York last week. She had called out to her husband for assistance before he was drawn into the machine due to the chain around his neck. The powerful magnetic force generated by the MRI scanner hauled Mr McAllister into the apparatus, resulting in what police described as a 'medical episode.' He was left in a critical condition and rushed to hospital. Ms Jones-McAllister said her husband suffered a series of heart attacks after being freed from the machine and he was later pronounced dead. His daughter Samantha Bodden has now revealed new details about what led to her father's death. In the GoFundMe page set up to support the family with burial costs, she wrote: "While my mother was laying on the table, the technician left the room to get her husband to help her off the table. He forgot to inform him to take the chain he was wearing from around his neck off when the magnet sucked him in. "My mother and the tech tried for several minutes to release him before the police were called. He was attached to the machine for almost an hour before they could release the chain from the machine." She then clarified: "Several news stations are saying he wasn't authorized to be in the room when in fact he was because the technician went and brought him into the room." Paying tribute to her dad, she added: "Keith was a husband, a father, a stepfather, a grandfather, a brother, and an uncle. He was a friend to many. He was on a fixed income from social security and didn't have much. So at this time, my mother is asking for help with expenses to help bury him." Ms Jones-McAllister detailed how her husband entered the scanning room still wearing the heavy metal chain he regularly used for weight training. "I yelled out Keith's name, [shouting] Keith, come help me up," she said. "I saw the machine snatch him around and pull him into the machine," she said through tears. "He died, he lost, he went limp in my arms." MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body's internal structures. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering warns that the magnetic field generated by an MRI is strong enough to pull ferromagnetic objects with deadly force. "Very powerful forces are exerted on objects made of iron, some steels, and other magnetic materials," it says, noting the field can be 'strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room'. MRI-related accidents are rare but can prove fatal when they do occur and this is not the first such incident in New York. In 2001, six-year-old Michael Colombini was killed at the Westchester Medical Centre when an oxygen tank was pulled into an MRI chamber by the machine's 10-ton electromagnet.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Man gets sucked in MRI machine due to his metallic chain: Precautions one should take while going for ultrasound, X-Ray, MRI and CT scan
MRI Scan machineRepresentative image Sometimes life is stranger than fiction and a recent incident wherein a man lost his life due to a medical mishap is one such incident. According to reports, in a bizarre turn of events, a man died after he was sucked into an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine due to a metallic chain he was wearing while he was at a medical facility in Westbury, on New York's Long Island. The tragic incident happened when the man entered the MRI room without permission, while his wife was undergoing a knee scan. According to a statement by the Nassau County Police Department, reported by BBC, the man walked into the MRI room without permission while still wearing a heavy metal chain around his neck. The powerful magnetic force of the MRI machine pulled him in, leading to his sudden death. The victim's wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, explained that she had asked her husband to come inside and help her get up after her MRI knee scan. Unfortunately, he was wearing a 9-kilogram metal chain with a lock, commonly used for weight training, which triggered the tragic accident. Adrienne emotionally shared with CNN, 'At that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI.' She added, 'He went limp in my arms.' Despite desperate efforts by the MRI technician to pull him away, the powerful magnetic force was too strong. Adrienne recalled pleading, 'Could you turn off the machine? Call 911. Do something. Turn this damn thing off!' This heartbreaking event highlights the extreme dangers of bringing metal objects into MRI rooms. Here we list some precautions you should take before undergoing ultrasound, X-Ray, MRI, and CT scan: 1. Precautions to take before undergoing ultrasound Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of internal organs. It is considered very safe as it does not involve radiation. However, there are still basic precautions to follow: - Follow fasting instructions: For abdominal ultrasounds, doctors often recommend fasting for 6-8 hours. This reduces gas in the intestines, giving clearer images. - Full bladder requirement: For pelvic or pregnancy ultrasounds, a full bladder may be required to enhance image quality. Follow your doctor's guidance about drinking water before the test. - Avoid lotions or creams: Do not apply lotions or powders on the area being examined, as they can interfere with the ultrasound waves. 2. X-Ray precautions X-rays use a small amount of ionizing radiation to capture images of bones and organs. The exposure is minimal but requires care. - Inform if pregnant: X-rays are generally avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary, as radiation can affect the fetus. - Remove metal objects: Metallic items like jewellery, belts, or clothing with zippers should be removed before undergoing an X-Ray as metal can distort the image. - Minimal exposure: Always ensure the procedure is justified by a doctor to avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful radiation. 3. MRI precautions MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images. Though it doesn't use radiation, it comes with its own risks. - Metal screening: Remove all metal objects. People with pacemakers, cochlear implants, or certain metal implants must inform the technician, as the magnetic field can interfere with these devices. - Claustrophobia onsideration: MRI machines are enclosed spaces. And so, if you have claustrophobia, do inform your doctor and technician before hand. In such cases, sedation or open MRI options may be considered. - Stay still: Movement can blur images, so staying completely still is crucial for accurate results. 4. CT scan precautions CT scans use X-rays to produce cross-sectional images and involve higher radiation doses than standard X-rays. - Contrast dye allergy: Inform your doctor if you have allergies, especially to iodine-based dyes, which are often used in CT scans. - Hydrate well: Drink plenty of water before and after the scan to help flush out contrast dye. - Avoid if you are pregnant: Like X-rays, CT scans are avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely essential.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Man, 61, dies in freak accident after being pulled into an MRI machine by his metal necklace
A man has died after being pulled into an MRI machine by the metal chain around his neck, his body thrown by the machine's invisible force. The 61-year-old, who has not yet been publicly identified, suffered catastrophic injuries after he entered an active MRI room at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island on Wednesday afternoon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was rushed to the hospital but died the next day. According to NBC New York, the man was wearing a large metal necklace when he entered the scan room while the machine was already engaged. It remains unclear whether he was a patient or a visitor at the facility. A witness told CBS News that he had been warned not to enter, but reportedly ran inside after hearing a relative scream. That metal chain, in the presence of the machine's powerful magnetic field, became a deadly projectile. "It [the necklace] would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet," Charles Winterfeldt, director of imaging services at North Shore University Hospital, told CBS. New York's Department of Health released a statement which said: "MRI facilities in NY are not regulated as part of diagnostic and treatment centers, so are therefore not subject to routine inspections." They are investigating the accident. How do MRI machines work, and are they dangerous? Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) relies on intensely strong magnets and radiofrequency currents to produce detailed internal images of the human body. Those same magnetic fields, however, can become lethal in the presence of metal. Even tiny objects can become deadly in that space. Dr. Payal Sud, a physician at North Shore University Hospital, explained to CBS News, 'The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic, and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries. ' Not the first time Injuries and fatalities linked to MRI magnets are very rare, but there have been a few exceptions. In 2001, a six-year-old boy died in New York when a metal oxygen tank was drawn into the MRI bore during his scan. In India, 2018, a man was killed the same way. More recently, in 2023, a California nurse suffered serious injuries after being crushed between an MRI machine and a hospital bed pulled by the magnetic force. The New York Times noted that the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering has long warned about these risks: the magnetic field is strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room. It's why patients are instructed to remove all metal jewelry, piercings, or even certain implants before stepping inside.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'Medical episode': Man dies after being pulled into MRI machine; police say he was wearing heavy metal chain
AI-generated image A 61-year-old man died after he was pulled into an MRI machine while wearing a metal chain at a medical facility in New York on Wednesday, reports ABC News. The incident took place in the afternoon at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island. According to Nassau County Police, the man entered an MRI room without authorisation while a scan was already in progress. The strong magnetic field of the machine attracted the large metallic chain around his neck, resulting in a medical episode. 'The male victim was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck causing him to be drawn into the machine which resulted in a medical episode,' police said in a statement. Emergency responders rushed to the scene following a 911 call at 4.34 pm. The unidentified man was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. He died the following day at 2.36 pm, police confirmed on Friday. The investigation into the fatal incident remains ongoing. A spokesperson for the police said no further details were available. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines are powered by strong magnetic fields and radio frequency currents to generate detailed internal images of the body. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Confirm: 60-Year-Old Sheds Fat With 4 Ingredients The Healthy Way Learn More Undo Due to the strength of the magnet, patients are routinely advised to remove all metal objects before entering the scanning room, including small jewelry or piercings. According to the national institute of biomedical imaging and bioengineering, an MRI's magnetic force is strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room. The agency also warns against entering the scan area with certain medical implants or metallic objects. Fatal incidents involving MRI machines are rare but have occurred before. In 2001, a six-year-old boy in the United States died after an oxygen tank was pulled into the machine during a scan. In 2018, a man in India lost his life after entering an MRI room carrying an oxygen cylinder. Just last year, a nurse in California was crushed between an MRI machine and a hospital bed due to magnetic pull, requiring surgery, reports the New York Times.
USA Today
18-07-2025
- USA Today
Man sucked into MRI machine by his own metal necklace critically injured
Police said the machine's magnetic field immediately attracted "a large metallic chain," the man wore, and pulled him into the machine. Homicide detectives are investigating after a man was violently sucked into an MRI machine by a metal chain around his neck, police in New York said. The horrific incident took place at a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) medical facility on Long Island, Kenneth Palmieri, a spokesperson with the Nassau County Police Department, confirmed to USA TODAY. The facility is in the village of Westbury, a town of North Hempstead on the North Shore of Long Island. According to a press release from police obtained by USA TODAY, just after 4:30 p.m. local time on July 15, officers responded to a medical emergency call at the Nassau Open MRI in the 1500 block of Old Country Road. At the scene, witnesses told officers a 61-year-old man "entered an unauthorized M.R.I. room while the scan was in progress," police said in the release. Officials have not released the man's name because, as of Friday, police told USA TODAY they had not learned if he had died. It was not immediately known whether the man was a visitor to the facility, a patient or if he worked there. Health insurance costs to spike again: What to expect in 2026 Machine immediately attracted 'a large metallic chain around his neck' According to police, the machine's magnetic field immediately attracted "a large metallic chain" the victim wore, which quickly pulled him into the machine and "resulted in a medical episode." Police did not elaborate about the extent of the man's injuries. At the scene, officers reported they assisted the man who was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. As of Friday, July 18, Palmieri said, the man's condition was not immediately known. According to police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder, the case remained under investigation. USA TODAY contacted Nassau Open MRI on July 18 but has not received a response. Seth Rollins injury update: Paul 'Triple H' Levesque says WWE star 'doesn't look good' MRI risks: 'Injuries from projectiles' Used for disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring, MRI is a "non-invasive imaging technology" that creates three-dimensional, detailed anatomical images, according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Adverse events from MRI scans "are rare," according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates MRI equipment. Millions of MRI scans are performed across the nation every year, the FDA wrote on its website. The agency said it receives around 300 incident reports annually involving MRI scanners and coils from manufacturers, distributors, user facilities and patients. Most of the reports, according to the FDA, include burns, as well as injuries from "projectile events" (objects being drawn toward the MRI scanner). High-powered magnets in the machine quickly draw items, especially metal, into the machine's chamber. "The strong magnetic field can attract metallic objects, potentially causing them to become projectiles and injure patients," the FDA's website reads. The magnetic force "is strong enough to fling a wheelchair across a room," according to NIBIB. "Patients should notify their physicians of any form of medical or implant prior to an MR scan." Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
