Author:  Sam Killian, MD Educational Pearls: MRI machines can generate enough heat from the radiofrequency to cause thermal burns   Patients with EKG stickers, medication patches, clothing impregnated with metallic ions, etc., can all increase risk of burns Even skin-to-skin contact within the patient can cause a misinterpretation from the software and increased energy, leading to burn   References: Cross NM, Hoff MN, Kanal KM. Avoiding MRI-Related Accidents: A Practical Approach to Implementing MR Safety. J Am Coll Radiol. 2018 Aug 24. pii: S1546-1440(18)30762-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2018.06.022. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30149951. Takahashi T, Fujimoto N, Hamada Y, Tezuka N, Tanaka T. MRI-related thermal injury due to skin-to-skin contact. Eur J Dermatol. 2016 Jun 1;26(3):296-8. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2016.2740. PubMed PMID: 26987101. Pietryga JA, Fonder MA, Rogg JM, North DL, Bercovitch LG. Invisible metallic microfiber in clothing presents unrecognized MRI risk for cutaneous burn. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2013 May;34(5):E47-50. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A2827. Epub 2011 Dec 15. PubMed PMID: 22173750. Dempsey MF, Condon B. Thermal injuries associated with MRI. Clin Radiol. 2001 Jun;56(6):457-65. Review. PubMed PMID: 11428795.