MRI hazards: footnote

Something I discovered when being scanned yesterday: some tattoos contain metal ions which lend them their pigment. In the scanner these ions can go on an atomic rampage through your skin and leave you with MRI burns.

I asked my Prof what to do about this, seeing as I had a small and tasteful tattoo done on my right shoulder about 6 months ago. He erected himself and said 'Well! There's only one way to find out'.

I looked to the radiographer for guidance, but she just looked prissy and malevolent, because she hates working with him. She probably wants me burned, I thought. The legal battles would make her cackle.

As it turns out, the magnet did not inflict any harm on me. Although I had some auditory hallucinations later that evening, which has not happened post-scanning on other occasions.