Q: 62 year old male patient admitted last night with CVA was send from ICU to radiology department for MRI. Nursing staff appropriately filled out the pre-MRI form. While patient was getting transferred from bed to MRI table, MRI staff decided to hold MRI after noticing a patch on patient's skin?

Answer:  

Transdermal drug patches are generally composed of 3 layers:

• a liner that is discarded before application,
• the drug itself, and
• the backing furthest from the skin.

Some transdermal systems have a metallic component, which allows controlled absorption of the medication through the skin. Aluminum is commonly used and is an excellent conductor of heat. When patients undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a patient wearing a patch containing aluminum, the overheated metal may cause excessive heating, and may cause local burns.

To be on safe side, it is important to re-confirm the drug patch, if it contains aluminum layer, or best to remove it.