How hard is it for the MRI technician to read the MRI?

[loverofpuppies]

Hey everyone,
I finally got my MRI done of my head/neck and I was wondering if anyone knew how knowledgeable the technicians are that do it in reading the MRI? Although I know they arent doctors and cant really tell you anything, I kept bugging the technician asking him what he saw and he said that he wasnt a dr and he couldnt tell me but from what he saw that it looked pretty"boring." So i was wondering if anyone knew how obvious or not obvious MS shows up on MRIs? Would it be noticeable to a technician if MS lesions were present? And thanks everyone for your prayers btw :)

[loverofpuppies]

Bob,
Thanks for the info/comment. I know that the technician wouldnt technically be able to "read" it but I was just kinda hoping to learn about whether they are able to notice things like MS on the scan when their doing it. It gave me a little bit of hope that he said that it was boring so I wanted to see just how far of hope that could give me. Thanks again for commenting :)

[COBOB]

Technicians can not "read" MRIs.  It is considered against the law in most states.  Even in outlying areas and obvious fractures, an X-ray or imaginf study has to be read by a "medical professional" (podiatrist, dentist, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc.)  Some states allow more professionals and some states are more restrictive.

MRI techs look at the "quality of the image," not the diagnostic elements.  Many experienced techs could "read" a study with the competency of a general radiologist, but will not.  Doing so could result in censure or loss of employment, certification and/or registration in the US.  

Most of the time, they can give you the DVD of the study, but that is about it.

Bob