Emrah Kantarcioglu1, Gokmen Kahilogullari2,3, Murat Zaimoglu1, Esin Ozlem Atmis4, Elif Peker5, Zeynep Yigman6, Deniz Billur6, Sevim Aydin6, Ilhan Memet Erden5, Agahan Unlü1. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. gokmenkahil@hotmail.com. 3. Ankara Universitesi Ibni Sina Hastanesi Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi, Talatpaşa Blv No:82, 06230, Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey. gokmenkahil@hotmail.com. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. 5. Department of Radiology, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. 6. Department of Histology and Embryology, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We aimed to determine whether varying the magnetic field during magnetic resonance imaging would affect the development of chicken embryos and neural tube defects. METHODS: Following incubation for 24 h, we exposed chicken embryos to varying magnetic fields for 10 min to assess the impact on development. Three magnetic resonance imaging devices were used, and the eggs were divided into four groups: group 1 is exposed to 1 T, group 2 is exposed to 1.5 T, group 3 is exposed to 3 T, and group 4, control group, was not exposed to magnetic field. After MRI exposure, all embryos were again put inside incubator to complete 48 h. "The new technique" was used to open eggs, a stereomicroscope was used for the examination of magnified external morphology, and each embryo was examined according to the Hamburger and Hamilton chicken embryo stages. Embryos who had delayed stages of development are considered growth retarded. Growth retardation criteria do not include small for stage. RESULTS: Compared with embryos not exposed to a magnetic field, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of neural tube closure defects and growth retardation in the embryos exposed to magnetic fields (p < 0.05). However, although the incidence of neural tube closure defects was expected to increase as exposure (tesla level) increased, we found a higher rate of defects in the 1.5-T group compared with the 3-T group. By contrast, the highest incidence of growth retardation was in the 3-T group, which was consistent with our expectation that growth retardation would be more likely as tesla level increased. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore conclude that the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic tool can result in midline closure defects and growth retardation in chicken embryos. We hypothesize that this may also be true for human embryos exposed to MRI. If a pregnant individual is to take an MRI scan, as for lumbar disc disease or any other any other reason, our results indicate that consideration should be given to an avoidance of MRI during pregnancy.
PURPOSE: We aimed to determine whether varying the magnetic field during magnetic resonance imaging would affect the development of chicken embryos and neural tube defects. METHODS: Following incubation for 24 h, we exposed chicken embryos to varying magnetic fields for 10 min to assess the impact on development. Three magnetic resonance imaging devices were used, and the eggs were divided into four groups: group 1 is exposed to 1 T, group 2 is exposed to 1.5 T, group 3 is exposed to 3 T, and group 4, control group, was not exposed to magnetic field. After MRI exposure, all embryos were again put inside incubator to complete 48 h. "The new technique" was used to open eggs, a stereomicroscope was used for the examination of magnified external morphology, and each embryo was examined according to the Hamburger and Hamilton chicken embryo stages. Embryos who had delayed stages of development are considered growth retarded. Growth retardation criteria do not include small for stage. RESULTS: Compared with embryos not exposed to a magnetic field, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of neural tube closure defects and growth retardation in the embryos exposed to magnetic fields (p < 0.05). However, although the incidence of neural tube closure defects was expected to increase as exposure (tesla level) increased, we found a higher rate of defects in the 1.5-T group compared with the 3-T group. By contrast, the highest incidence of growth retardation was in the 3-T group, which was consistent with our expectation that growth retardation would be more likely as tesla level increased. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore conclude that the use of magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic tool can result in midline closure defects and growth retardation in chicken embryos. We hypothesize that this may also be true for human embryos exposed to MRI. If a pregnant individual is to take an MRI scan, as for lumbar disc disease or any other any other reason, our results indicate that consideration should be given to an avoidance of MRI during pregnancy.
Authors: D Bachiller; J Klingensmith; C Kemp; J A Belo; R M Anderson; S R May; J A McMahon; A P McMahon; R M Harland; J Rossant; E M De Robertis Journal: Nature Date: 2000-02-10 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: A W Harris; A Basten; V Gebski; D Noonan; J Finnie; M L Bath; M J Bangay; M H Repacholi Journal: Radiat Res Date: 1998-03 Impact factor: 2.841