A 28-year-old woman has been hospitalized with what doctors are calling “major internal injuries” after a powerful medical scanner pulled a concealed adult toy inside her body during an MRI procedure. The shocking accident — described by medical staff as “one of the most dangerous MRI incidents we’ve ever seen” — has left the woman in intensive care and sparked urgent warnings from hospitals around the country.
According to emergency room staff, the woman arrived at a hospital in California on Monday morning to undergo a scheduled MRI scan. What she didn’t disclose to medical personnel was that she was wearing a small metallic adult toy at the time of the appointment. When the machine was switched on, its massive magnetic force caused the object to shift violently, tearing through internal tissue. “The entire thing happened in seconds,” one nurse told local reporters. “It was like a bullet being sucked toward the magnet.”
Doctors immediately halted the scan and rushed the woman into emergency surgery. “She’s lucky to be alive,” a trauma surgeon said in an interview with a national outlet. “If that object had been a few millimeters closer to a major artery, she could have bled out in minutes.”
“This was avoidable. The danger of metallic objects in MRI scanners cannot be overstated.” @PopBase
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines use extremely strong magnetic fields to generate detailed internal scans of the body. Hospitals require all patients to remove any metal before entering the room — including jewelry, piercings, and clothing with zippers. But according to medical reports, some patients either forget or fail to disclose certain items, sometimes with devastating consequences.
“This is a textbook example of how dangerous MRI magnets can be,” explained Dr. Jason Reed, a radiology expert speaking to investigators. “People don’t realize the magnetic force can turn any small metal object into a projectile. It doesn’t matter how hidden it is — the machine will find it.”
The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was reportedly sedated during the procedure. When the scanner activated, the object was pulled deep into the magnetic core, causing severe internal lacerations. Radiology staff described the sound of the impact as “a metallic snap followed by screaming.”
“You could hear it across the ward. It wasn’t just loud — it was violent.” @Breaking911
After nearly four hours of surgery, the woman was stabilized but remains in critical condition. Doctors have confirmed she sustained damage to her lower abdominal wall and nearby organs. “She will require long-term care and likely more surgeries,” one surgeon said to a news desk.
Hospital officials said the accident has triggered a full review of their pre-MRI screening protocols. While patients are routinely asked to remove all metal, hidden objects present a unique danger. “You can’t detect something a patient doesn’t admit to,” a hospital spokesperson told reporters. “But this incident shows why honesty is critical in these procedures.”
The story has exploded online, with many reacting in disbelief. Hashtags like #MRIAccident and #HospitalAlert began trending on X within hours. One viral post called it “a horror story that should be a public service announcement.”
Experts say MRI-related accidents involving foreign objects are rare but extremely dangerous. In 2023, a man in Brazil died after bringing a concealed firearm into an MRI room. In another case, a patient’s pacemaker malfunctioned during a scan, leading to a cardiac arrest. “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” said Dr. Reed. “But this one is particularly severe because of the location of the object.”
“If there’s even a hint of metal in or on your body, MRI can be deadly.” @MedicalXpress
Several medical professionals have taken to social media to use the incident as a cautionary tale. “We ask those questions before scans for a reason,” one radiology nurse wrote. “It’s not about embarrassment. It’s about survival.”
According to Mayo Clinic guidelines, MRI scanners exert forces thousands of times stronger than a typical refrigerator magnet. Even small piercings or implanted devices can become dangerous projectiles. Experts say adult toys, which often contain concealed metal components, are especially hazardous in these settings.
“People think they can outsmart the machine or that it won’t be detected,” Dr. Reed added. “But the magnet always wins.”
“A simple admission could have saved her from life-altering injuries.” @Reuters
Hospital officials are urging anyone undergoing MRI scans to be brutally honest about what’s on or inside their body. “We’ve seen everything — piercings, jewelry, implants, even hidden objects,” the spokesperson said. “But this case is one of the worst. It should serve as a wake-up call.”
The woman’s family has not released a statement, but hospital sources say she remains sedated and under close observation. Doctors say her recovery will likely be long and complex, involving multiple follow-up procedures and rehabilitation.
“She’s incredibly lucky to be alive,” a trauma nurse said to reporters. “But luck shouldn’t have to play a part in medical safety.”
“This could have been avoided. One conversation could’ve changed everything.” @VanityFair
As the story continues to spread, hospitals across the U.S. are reminding patients to disclose everything before scans — no matter how personal or embarrassing. “We’ve heard it all before,” one MRI technician said. “But if it’s metal, it could kill you.”
