A woman found herself in a distressing situation while undergoing an MRI scan.
It is well known that bringing metal objects into an MRI scan is strictly not allowed.
Medical staff usually ensure that a patient is free of any metal, including items like necklaces or watches, before the procedure begins.
However, some metal items can be internal, so it’s important for patients to disclose any heart valves, IUDs, or metal implants to the technologists.
Discussing the safety measures taken prior to an MRI scan, Benjamin Navot, MD, assistant professor of radiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, noted, “Before your appointment, we’re going to ask you to leave anything metal at home, and that includes jewelry, watches, or clothes with metal hooks.”
“Even a small metal object can fly into the scanner or interfere with the image,” he continued.
However, this particular woman apparently neglected to mention a certain metal item she had internally—a butt plug.
At the age of 22, the woman underwent the MRI scan, but reportedly began to ‘scream’ in pain once it concluded.
The toy in question was thought to be made of silicone with a metal core.
According to an FDA report from April 2023, the patient described feeling ‘nauseous, in pain, and as though she was going to pass out’ after the scan.
The report added: “An ambulance was called for this patient and she was sent to the hospital. The patient was checked out by the radiologist at the site before transport to ensure the patient was doing okay.”
The FDA attempted to follow up with the young woman afterward, but she did not respond to their calls.
An image, said to be of the woman’s scan, surfaced on Reddit, though its connection to this specific event has not been verified.
A medical expert has commented on the incident, countering claims that the butt plug could have exited her body ‘at the speed of sound,’ according to MailOnline.
Professor Adam Taylor, an expert in human anatomy at Lancaster University, told the outlet, “The speed at which ferromagnetic materials move in an MRI field is proportional to the mass of the object and how far away from the magnetic field it is.
“Things such as paper clips or hairpins would easily reach 40mph if within the field.
“As this ‘toy’ was predominantly silicone with a metallic core, there is potential that it moved at speed but not close to the speed of sound.”
Regardless of whether it reached the ‘speed of sound,’ it must have been an extremely uncomfortable experience.