Ex Vivo Screening and In Vivo 1.5-T MRI Evaluation of SpineJack® Implants

Location: Concourse Foyer Kiosk

Co-Author(s)

MK

Masrhal King, MD

Resident Physician
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, United States
GL

Gerritt Lagemann, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), United States

First Author(s)

PL

Paul Lewis, MD, MBA

Associate Professor
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, United States

Purpose: The SpineJack® system is an expandable titanium intravertebral implant increasingly used for vertebral augmentation across osteoporotic, traumatic, and pathologic compression fractures. Although designated MR Conditional based on non-clinical testing, in vivo MRI safety and imaging characteristics have not been described. This study evaluated the ex vivo magnetic properties of the SpineJack® implant and its in vivo tolerance and artifact behavior during 1.5-T MRI.

Methods/Materials: Ex vivo qualitative screening for ferromagnetism was performed using a handheld ferromagnetic detection device and a high-strength magnet on a 5.0-mm SpineJack® implant. In vivo assessment included two patients who underwent clinically indicated 1.5-T MRI following vertebral augmentation with single-level and multilevel SpineJack® implantation. MRI was performed on two different 1.5-T scanners using standard clinical protocols, including fast spin-echo and STIR sequences when available. Patient tolerance and diagnostic image quality were assessed qualitatively; no inferential statistics were performed.

Results: Ex vivo testing demonstrated no detectable ferromagnetic activity and no implant displacement. In vivo MRI was well tolerated in both patients, with no reported discomfort or adverse events. Imaging demonstrated mild, localized susceptibility artifact confined to the immediate vicinity of the implants, without geometric distortion or loss of diagnostic capability. The spinal canal, neural foramina, vertebral marrow, and adjacent levels remained evaluable, including detection of pathology adjacent to treated levels.

Conclusions: In this preliminary real-world experience, SpineJack® implants demonstrated non-ferromagnetic behavior and preserved diagnostic image quality on 1.5-T MRI using standard clinical protocols, without observed scan-related adverse events. These findings support the clinical feasibility of post-implant MRI following SpineJack® vertebral augmentation.