In some cases, circuits and wires in the MR imaging unit or within the patient can accidentally
be resonant at the frequency of the transmitted radiofrequency power, which then poses unpredictable and severe safety risks. For example, unintentional resonances of this kind can occur if a coiled cardiac pacer lead forms a resonant configuration; however, in many cases, the cause is far less obvious. A related variant is the “antenna effect,” where an uncoiled wire resonates with the electric field of the radiofrequency coil, similar to a radio tuned to a station, generating large electric fields in the vicinity of the lead tip. This mechanism is suspected in the case of a patient who was imaged while a pulse oximeter was attached to his fingertip; despite proper cable placement and careful spacing with padding and cloth, a third-degree burn occurred at the lead tip, necessitating amputation of the digit (31). MR-conditional intracardiac pacemakers contain electronic filters that nearly eliminate the possibility
of the antenna effect. However, abandoned intracardiac pacer wire leads lack such protection and are currently considered a contraindication to MR imaging.