Subcutaneous glucose monitors

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 23 Jan 2019

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Smith D, Knipe H, Subcutaneous glucose monitors. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 23 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-65774

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-65774

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/65774

rID:

65774

Article created:

22 Jan 2019, Derek Smith ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Derek Smith had no recorded disclosures.

View Derek Smith's current disclosures

Last revised:

23 Jan 2019, Henry Knipe ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.

View Henry Knipe's current disclosures

Revisions:

2 times, by 2 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Tags:

medical devices, mri safety

Synonyms:

Flash glucose monitor
Continuous glucose monitor

Subcutaneous glucose monitors are becoming increasingly common in the monitoring and management of glucose for diabetics.

The majority of these are unlikely to impact routine imaging but are important to consider in MRI.

In the UK, the commonest device available on prescription is the FreeStyle Libre Flash system. This sits on the skin, about the size of a milk bottle top, with a small cannula monitoring interstitial fluid glucose. Other systems are available, some working in conjunction with insulin pumps.

These devices are currently MRI unsafe (January 2019) ²; with metallic components in contact with skin. The Libre is reapplied every 14 days, with an adhesive designed to last that long. MR examinations should ideally be timed later in this period to preserve patient skin and maximize sensor function.