dynamic MRI

[SarahB79]

I talked to my endocrinologist last week about how I am hearing a Dynamic MRI should be done and how neither of my two MRI's both at different locations did it using this technique and I wondered if the script needed to be written differently.  I told her how the second place used a 3.0 Tesla GE machine with a recently upgraded software and they seemed very up to date on pituitary MRI's but yet they still did not take images WHILE injecting me.  She suggested maybe next time we try the University Hospital and ask them specifically.  I was almost wondering if I could call the last place I did it and complain a little and ask for them to do it again. :-P

Does anyone have pictures/MRI of their pituitary tumor they could post?  

[rumpled]

"A normal pituitary gland will usually look very white on a MRI after the dye has been used. The tumors will appear darker. This pattern is different than it is for other tumors. It is important to have a radiologist who specializes in reviewing pituitary MRIs to interpret the scans.

When a very small tumor is being searched for, a dynamic MRI will sometimes be done. In this type of imaging, a series of MRI images are taken quickly over several minutes after the gadolinium has been injected. This type of scan is based on the idea that pituitary tumors and normal gland tissue absorb the dye at different speeds. The contrast between the normal tissue and tumor may be easier to see in the earlier images when compared to the later ones.

Dynamic MRIs may be especially important when a small tumor of the type that causes acromegaly or Cushing's disease is suspected."

[happymom57]

Hope you, Sarah, have found a medical facility with a Dynamic MRI machine available.  I am currently looking for one.  Contrary to what rumpled is telling you, a dynamic MRI is a different type of MRI machine that allows the patient to sit or stand while the images are being recorded. They are supposed to be much more informative for the medical teams.  Nothing to do with contrast necessarily. I am having tailbone problems and so far cannot find one of these MRI machines near my home area.  I was hoping Chicago would have this machine available.  

[rumpled]

I hope the other med helps you!
Yeah, I always ask about the dynamic, but I have found that even if they know it "intellectually", experience still tells. Now that I found a good place, I go back there.

[SarahB79]

I did a web search for dynamic pituitary MRI and it came back with TONS of useful articles as well as even a HOW TO preform one that I am considering sending to every imaging place in town. LOL.  I printed out lots of the info and plan to take it with me to appointments from now on.

PS.  I just found out my echocardiogram did find valve regurgitation so I have to see a cardiologist and will likely have to switch from dostinex to bromocriptine. :-(

[rumpled]

Yes, sad to say, there is skill involved. They can put the contrast in too fast or too slow and make the pics too light or too dark, or they can simply not take the right pics (I had that in one place) as even though they can set the machine, everyone's anatomy is different so sure, they can set a midpoint but it may not cover all what they need if the tech  does not check it.
I have had a useless one too.

[crwstar]

Thank you rumpled for the information. The first place I had my MRI was by far the best. They had extensive experience doing MRI's for this area and it is now the only place I will go. The other two places just did not do a good job. As a matter a fact one came back and said, I did not have a pituitary tumor which wasn't true...........I'll ask for a dynamic one on my next visit. Somehow I think you've already explained this to me and I just forgot. I need to write it down somewhere right now ;-)

[JenB12]

I hope you do get the chance to get a Dynamic MRI. I was not happy with what my Dr. has said when i brought my MRI in. It's not like she looked at the MRI, just the "impressions" and I mean I don't even know why I bothered to go in because she just reworded what the radiologist had written in his findings. So I was unhappy with this and so i mailed a CD of my images to my husbands Uncle in Chicago who is a Dr and he had someone look at it there and they said that the images were totally and completely worthless and that everything would have to be redone as they could not see anything at all on the images. So it can be super frustrating because we expect Dr.s and technicians to know what to do.... but they don't always do things right and it causes extra grief!

[rumpled]

A dynamic MRI is when they give you the contrast DURING the MRI. In other words, they are not stopping the machine, giving you contrast, and starting it up.

They are looking for the uptake of the contrast as in some cases, the pituitary and an adenoma will take it up at different rates, thus showing up tumors that were not showing up before.

You will have to be in the machine with an IV thingy, They will have a machine, made of plastic, that will inject the contrast when they push a button the in command center while you are trapped in the darth vader mask watching your toes in a mirror... or at least, that is how I feel.

I have been on a 3T GE machine and  3T Phillips - the GE is very very bumpy! Weird! The Phillips is nice as it is wider, so it is more comfortable for my wide... rather than balancing on a plank for an hour. :)

[crwstar]

I've been wondering about what a dynamic MRI is as well. Would love to know the difference on my next MRI request as well.