MRI of Brain

[lisa wood]

My neurologist wants to do a MRI of the brain without contrast. Do I need to have this done with contrast or will lesions show up without contrast? Thank you for all of your help

[risnerrose]

I highly recommend you read Quix's post on MRI's.  It explains what is detected without and with contrast.  I will bump it to the top for you.

Sherry

[lisa wood]

I don't have the MRI scheduled yet. I have to call tomorrow to set this up. I had the EEG done on Friday. When I set up the MRI what should I ask them about their machines because I have been reading the forum that I want to make sure this is a newer machine because the older machines did not show up lesions but the newer ones did. Thank you for all of your help.

[AussyRose]

On my MRI orders it said "Eval MS" and the radiologist said when they see that they automatically do with & without contrast because doing without is pretty useless in that evaluation.  What exactly did your Dr. order?  You might want to just double check.  I would not want to do MRIs more than needed.  Might as well get it all done in one day!
Do you have the MRI scheduled yet?

[pennst8r]

It is HIGHLY recommended that you have with AND without. It should be of little consequence to the doc - a stroke of the pen. Insist on it.

Penn