System Handbook

Safety Information
27
surgery. Very rarely, you may develop an internal blood clot (hematoma) or blister
(seroma); or you may experience brain hemorrhage or paralysis. Your spinal cord may
become compressed.
• External sources of electromagnetic interference may cause the device to malfunction
and affect stimulation.
• MRI. Exposure to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can result in noticeable heat near
the Stimulator or the leads; may distort or destroy the image needed for diagnosis; and
may produce enough electromagnetic interference (EMI) to erase the Stimulator
programming, destroy the leads, or cause the leads to move from their intended location.
• Undesirable stimulation may occur over time due to cellular changes in tissue around the
electrodes, changes in electrode position, loose electrical connections and/or lead
failure.
• You may experience painful electrical stimulation of your chest wall as a result of
stimulation of certain nerve roots several weeks after surgery.
• Over time, your Stimulator may move from its original position.