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- The FDA lists 102 reports of adverse events involving an MRI machine
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A woman who tried to sneak a gun to an MRI appointment suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks after the machine caused the firearm to go off.
The 57-year-old unnamed woman from Wisconsin took a single bullet to her right butt cheek when the firearm she was carrying got too close to the MRI machine.
The trigger may have been pulled due to the the MRI’s powerful magnet.
People may be prescribed an MRI for many reasons, including to detect tissue tears, tumors, spinal injuries or disease, damage to internal organs or brain disorders that do not show up on the traditional x-ray (stock photo)
The incident occurred in Waukesha, which is in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, in June 2023.
Her doctor reported it to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database about one month later.
Prior to entering the MRI room, the woman underwent a routine screening procedure that asked her if she had any potential dangerous objects on her, including if she was carrying a gun.
She answered no to all questions.
Patients receiving and MRI are explicitly told to leave anything that could be attracted to the magnet out of the room, including piercings, jewelry, cell phones, metal on or in clothing and weapons, including guns.
People are even asked if they have tattoos and warned they may experience discomfort or irritation because some tattoo inks could contain metal that would be attracted to the MRI’s magnet.
MRIs use strong magnets to obtain detailed images of the body’s tissues, organs and skeletal system. An MRI machine uses the magnet to produce a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures of the body’s inner workings.
Even if the machine is not in use, its magnet is always active.
The 57-year-old suffered a minor injury after being shot and went on to fully recover with no complications. It was not known if the woman had a license for the firearm.
When undergoing an MRI people are often asked to fully undress and wear a medical gown, but it is not known if the woman had been asked to do so or where she was concealing the weapon.
MAUDE is a voluntary reporting system for adverse events associated with medical devices.
After being shot by her own weapon, a doctor examined the woman and saw entry and exit holes that were ‘very small and superficial,’ according to the FDA’s report.
The bullet had only penetrated subcutaneous tissue — the deepest layer of skin made up mostly of fat cells and connective tissue where most of the body’s fat is stored.
The patient was transferred to a hospital and later reported the wound was healing well.
People may be prescribed an MRI for many reasons, including to detect tissue tears, tumors, spinal injuries or disease, damage to internal organs or brain disorders that do not show up on the traditional x-ray.
The machine can be used to take detailed images of the entire body from almost any angle.
Soft tissue in the body contains water and the magnetic field the MRI uses acts on microscopic substances in soft tissue called protons. These now-magnetized protons send out a signal to the MRI and then a computer organizes the signals into images for doctors to review.
It was not known what part of the body the Wisconsin woman was having scanned.
The FDA’s MAUDE system lists 102 reports of adverse events involving an MRI machine or procedure. Complaints include burnt or irritated skin, hearing issues and machines malfunctioning and catching fire.
An MRI machine makes repeated loud noises, including loud clicks and beeping. MRIs can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 1.5 hours depending on the size and location of the body part being scanned. For these reasons, people undergoing the scan are usually provided with ear plugs.
