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Magnetic toys: forbidden for pediatric patients with certain programmable shunt valves?

Zuzak, Tycho ; Balmer, Bettina ; Schmidig, Daniel ; Boltshauser, Eugen ; Grotzer, Michael

In: Child's Nervous System, 2009, vol. 25, no. 2, p. 161-164

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    Title
    • Magnetic toys: forbidden for pediatric patients with certain programmable shunt valves?
    Author
    • Zuzak, Tycho. Division of Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Balmer, Bettina. Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Schmidig, Daniel. Engemattstrasse 31, 8200, Schaffhausen, Switzerland
    • Boltshauser, Eugen. Division of Neurology, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Grotzer, Michael. Division of Oncology, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:321698
    Summary
    Background: Inadvertent adjustments and malfunctions of programmable valves have been reported in cases in which patients have encountered powerful electromagnetic fields such as those involved in magnetic resonance imaging, but the potential effects of magnetic toys on programmable valves are not well known. Materials and methods: The magnetic properties of nine toy magnets were examined. To calculate the effect of a single magnet over a distance, the magnetic flux density was directly measured using a calibrated Hall probe at seven different positions between 0 and 120mm from the magnet. Strata II small (Medtronic Inc.), Codman Hakim (Codman & Shurtleff), and Polaris (Sophysa) programmable valves were then tested to determine the effects of the toy magnets on each valve type. Results: The maximal flux density of different magnetic toys differed between 17 and 540mT, inversely proportional to the distance between toy and measurement instrument. Alterations to Strata and Codman valve settings could be effected with all the magnetic toys. The distances that still led to an alteration of the valve settings differed from 10 to 50mm (Strata), compared with 5 to 30mm (Codman). Valve settings of Polaris could not be altered by any toy at any distance due to its architecture with two magnets adjusted in opposite directions. Conclusion: This is the first report describing changes in the pressure setting of some adjustable valves caused by magnetic toys in close contact. Parents, surgeons, neurologists, pediatric oncologists, and paramedics should be informed about the potential dangers of magnetic toys to prevent unwanted changes to pressure settings