The neuro's, for whatever reason, never understood the concept of "would you like fries with that?"!
Stay on 'em.
What everything they do, because most of them are not, unless you are very lucky.
They will definitely forget something that could be very helpful - it happened to me recently with a lumbar puncture. So, I learned my lesson.
Opera
Everything above is what I would say. Only the ordering doctor can usually add different parts to the scan. Although, sometimes they will see something during a test that will lead the radiologist to chose to expand the test.
I agree that you should ask your neuro to add in the cervical spine and the thoracic spine and say it is due to the difficulty you have getting there or whatever.
Now, very often, depending on your insurance you can choose where to go for the test - in terms of choosing a higher power machine.
Quix
Your doctor has to order what MRIs to do. And whether contrast is needed.
And, ask for copies of the CD before you leave the MRI place. Yes they can provide you copies of the CD and so far I've never been charged. I suggest getting two copies.
You can view them on your home computer however the resolution isn't always good.
Your doctor can also request a specific resolution. Like if the MRI center has a 3T machine then at my center the doctor has to specifiy the 3T. The doctor can also say a minimum of 1.0T. etc.
And you may want to ask your doctor for a prescription for a few mild sedative like pills. You may not know if you are claustrophobic and the pills do help. It also helps to use the eye mask, the ear plugs, the knee cushion.
Also, try one of the sedative pills before the test. That way you will know how it will affect you.
Good luck. Jules
I would contact the neuro and ask to have everything done at once if possible - tell them taking off work, or the travel time, or whatever reason you can think of that makes sense to do it all at one time. I had my brain mri separate and when the lesions jumped out they sent me for the spinal mri's. For my first neuro appt. he had my entire cns on cd to look at.
Just asking the radiologist to do more won't work. And please don't alter your medical rx's on your own - make sure it is ordered by the doctor so your insurance covers the cost.
My best, Lulu
Yup, that's with and without contrast.
I have the worst luck adding on MRIs to my scheduled MRI. I had a cervical MRI and thought - heck, I'll be there - just scan my head again. No go. The neuro thought it was 'too early' as I'd had an MRI six months prior.
However, that's just my neuro. Feel free to ask yours and see if he'll throw another one in there. It would help if you had some symptoms that made you suspect cord involvement - bladder problems, leg weakness, etc.
I recommend imaging the complete central nervous system. This means brain, cervical, and thoracic MRI, with and without contrast.