What all does a MRA of the head and throat show?

[Fluffysmom]

How much does a MRA of the head and throat show?  Does it just show the vessels, or are there bonuses, like seeing if my thyroid looks right, or my pituitary, or MS style lesions?

The orders for the tests list the reason for tests as "numbness".  I'm not sure why, but will that affect what the radiologists focus on, or do they check everything out?  My symptoms are dizziness, tremors, loss of balance, fatigue, parasthesia, plus more.

I had 2 MRIs that showed multiple small lesions in the white matter, and though I'm 46 and have had great blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. for many years, and never a sign of diabetes.

I won't go into my whole history and Timeline, because most of you have heard it all before (though my timeline is available for the bored or curious).  

I'm just curious as to whether this can rule out the whole "small vessel ischemic disease" if the vessels look fine, and if it will show anything beyond that.  I posted this on the heart disease forum, but posters don't get many answers, though I have seen several by a poster called boogernose.  So, I'm bringing it to my forum family.

Any ideas?

Hugs,

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

Darn, it does sound too much like MS, diagnosis-wise!  I really don't have any reason to think I have small vessel ischemic disease, except for my neuro's thinking that that must be why I have lesions rather than MS.  So, why did she order this expensive test?  She thinks I have large vessel issues, without any reason to?  Oh well, better safe than sorry, as my mom had strokes (due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, which is so totally different than me).

I'll check out the board you suggested, as I'm definitely open to any explanation for what's been going on with me; I just want it figured out and treated.  I can ask questions about PSVT, a few irregular heartbeats now and then, and learn more about the symptoms of microvascular issues.

Thanks for sharing a new resource with me.  I hope that your MS quest for answers goes more smoothly than so many.

Take care,

Kathy

[Lulu54]

I overlooked the part of your question I can be of some help with - I doubt that this test will help to diagnose microvascular disease - accurate testing for this is still being developed.  I have microvascular angina and reached that diagnosis just this summer after 6 months of tracking symptoms, having every imaginable test, and still having nothing to show for it.  The microvascular stuff is all pretty much diagnosis by elimination - you start ruling things out and when you run out of tests to do and possible problems you see what you have left!  Sounds somewhat like MS , doesn't it? And then if there is a microvascular problem. the only tool for treatment is drugs.  It's hit or miss until you get the right combination to help.

The fact that I have just done 6 months of diagnosis by elimination doesn't help my temprament knowing I have more of the same with this MS ****.  


My best,
Laura

[Lulu54]

If you want some immediate answers to your heart questions, can I recommend the womenheart board I have used since this spring?  It is a wonderful group of women, just like the community here, and they can answer just about any question you might have.  It is geared specifically to the issues that women have with cardiac care, since our symptoms don't fit the typical profiles that doctors use based on men.

They will welcome you and your questions with open arms and hearts!

http://www.inspire.com/groups/womenheart/

Be well,
Laura

[Fluffysmom]

I always get copies of all my films on CDs, so I can look at them myself (but learned not to try and read to much into them), but mostly to have to take to a new doctor when the current one proves to be a goob!

Seriously, in case you didn't know (I haven't really 'met' you yet, though I've seen you around), it is a really good idea to have all your films and records; I've even started getting chart notes from doctor's visits.

I'll have to catch up on getting to know you, nice to meet you!

Kathy

[emschick]

I wouldn't trust any radiologist to look at everything. Cause the one that read my films didn't. He had to be asked to look at them again. Same thing he was a goob.

[Fluffysmom]

OK, I kind of figured it was just the veins; didn't hurt to hope it would show more.

My BP had been around 117/72 or so, but for the last few month's it's been dropping as far as 102/60, or something like that, except at this MS specialist's appt., where it was around 117/78 since I had to rush to redo my new patient packet right before my appointment, and I was a bit stressed.

I have a feeling that my little old blood vessels will be looking pretty good, too.  Funny how doctor's sometimes don't believe what you tell them.  Heck, I brought the reports for my cholesterol and triglicerides for the past several years, and she didn't even look at them.  Oh well, ticking off the things I DON'T have.

This is my third neuro; maybe we can lay the microvascular ischemic disease to rest and get on with finding out what's really going on.  

You've both been helpful.  You clarified that Dr. Y. is looking for vascular issues only, pretty much, and I'm pretty certain I don't have any.  I've even got a new neuro lined up if Dr. Y. shows me the door (like she tried to this first/last visit).  I have a follow-up with her in three months.  If she has nothing more to offer, I'll move on once again.  

Kathy

[Hyyeary99]

I know this is rather old, but I was wondering if they had figured out that you have fibromuscular dysplasia with postural orthostatis tachycardia syndrome on top of it?

[essdipity]

Haven't had any MRAs, so can't comment on that aspect. But after loads of brain MRIs and radiological speculation about microvascular ischemic disease (getting worse), my last neuro sent me for a Doppler ultrasound of my carotids. Surprise, doc!  Arteries were perfect. Guess he didn't believe that my BP is always around 110/70. That neuro had me tested for all sorts of obscure stuff rather than recognize what was right in front of his face, the walking, quacking duck. I got a new neuro.

ess

[slightlybroken]

If I'm not mistaken, mine showed the blood vessels. Mine even showed that one of my blood vessels were contorted in my head (I was born with this).  It pretty much maps out your blood vessels to see if there is any problems.

MRA can detect:

1)  atherosclerosis disease in the carotid artery of the neck, which may limit blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke

2) identify a small aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation inside the brain
among other things...

As far as seeing anything else, I don't have any idea. Sorry I couldn't be much help.

Take care