What does anyone know about the CINE MRI?

[zygy]

I had this done without contrast laying down and wanted to know if this is the normal process?  Laying down they are saying I have spinal fluid flow?  I thought I read some people do this sitting but I was not sure.  I have lots of the Chiari head pains and am scheduled for surgery but was surprised that it said the flow looked good?  Also noted on my spine MRI that bulging disk at c4-c5 and disc desiccation at L5-S1.  Also found Chiari went from 6mm in October 09 to 8mm March 2010. Interesting I suppose :)  Doesn't look like anything else at least!  

[selmaS]

Glad it all went well for u.....could be the MRI machine itself was really strong that they didn't use the contrast????

I close my eyes to avoid getting that claustrophobic feeling : )

Keep us posted : )

"selma"

[sarah357]

Thanks everyone! It wasn't too bad. I felt really claustrophic though!  I didn't get contrast either, but had the clip on my finger.

I am going to be able to get results this afternoon already. I have a ton of symptoms too so I am hoping to get the surgery too!

[jorlex137]

Hello!
I had a CINE MRI and it was lying down and showed blockage.  Good luck!

[zygy]

Hope your MRI goes well.  My MRI was about 2 hours, they did not use contrast but I did get the clip on my finger.  It was also a very expensive MRI.  Sadly, I think lots of people hope that they find something so that they get some answers!  I felt the same way.  I must say though, I have an 8mm Chiari but they did not say I had a huge amount of blockage and my Neurosurgeon was still fine with doing the surgery.  She is making that available to me just based on the issues I am having so maybe it will be the same for you, perhaps the amount of blockage will not be the deciding factor.  Best of luck with everything!  Have fun at your MRI!!!

[selmaS]

This will be done like all the other MRI's u have had to date, except that it will be done in 2 parts...for the 2nd, u will be brought out to inject the contrast...and a clip to ur finger to monitor ur BP.

Good Luck !!

"selma"

[sarah357]

That is interesting that you lay down. I am getting a CINE MRI tomorrow and wasn't sure what to expect. How long did your's take? I do sometimes feel a lot of pressure when I lay down at night and it feels like my head will burst! The sad thing is I hope that mine is blocked so the doctors will take me seriously...

[selmaS]

Carolyn...it is a new feature to show who answers questions.....so a newbie can see who they may  expect to answer their questions....see the link for more details : )

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/top_answerers/257

zygy.....there r way too many opinions on MRI's and CINE MRI's......
But, u have a dr u r comfortable with...so, get the CINE done and see what ur NS says...and then update us : )

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

K what's with the stars...did my comment only get 3 out of 5 stars? lol

You are right, they really don't know anything for sure!! Not very comforting but a common problem with Chiari. I agree that it is blocking you somewhere...like I said I didn't have a CINE MRI but my NS was confident just from my normal MRI pics that something was blocked. Let us know what the NS said!

Carolyn

[zygy]

Thanks guys!  I am planning to see my neurosurgeon one more time before surgery. I still just feel like I want to continue to ask questions and understand more.  This will give me the ability to ask her a few questions about the CINE MRI.  My number one complaints are the head pains and the feeling faint each time you stand so I am sure something is blocked somewhere.  I still feel very confident that this surgery will be good for me, and like you said Carolyn, if it is growing than I surely want to take care of it now!!!!  Last night I did some reading about CINE MRI's and it seems that for the Chiari people there is just lots of mixed opinions on what position to do them, how to read them and of how much importance they really are.  I guess like the rest of Chiari things, they just done know for sure.  

[selmaS]

Hi...mine was also done lying down....and it did show a blockage...I can only imagine that a true chiari specialist can tell if u have a chance for a blockage in a different position.

There r not that many of the upright MRI machines...I know there r not ne at all in my area...I did see an advertisement for one on the way home from TCI.....it was near Queens.

I am sure ur Dr looked at the increase in herniation and ur symptoms to determine he can give u relief and that the symptoms r from ur chiari.

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

I may have said this before...but it makes so much more sense to do them standing or sitting as most of our tonsils act like "plugs" when we stand up. That's why we get the headrushes and passing out when we stand up. So your flow could be fine lying down but be blocked when you stand up. I'm glad you are scheduled for surgery..considering your herniation has got larger!

Take care
Carolyn

Ps (I never actually had one done...so someone here may know more than I do...I just work on theories lol)