Wrong MRI? Does it matter?

[zenhound]

Hi again,
I posted here a few times before.  Sort of stopped coming as regularly trying to pursue a possible psych angle, but it turns out that's kind of a dead end (at least if you actually want to know whether it's physical or psychological).  So I was going through my test results and stuff and got my MRI disk out.  I'm not totally sure that I've had a correct MRI yet, but thought I would ask to see what you all thought.  This is what it says on the disk:

1/16/10 MRI Brain for MS, w/o contrast
4/2/10 MRI Brain and Brain Stem with and w/o contrast
4/20/10 MRI Brain/IAC with and w/o contrast

The first MRI was ordered by my GP/PCP doc.  The other two were ordered by the neuro.  I knew the one on 4/2 was not for MS.  She said it was looking at the area of the trigeminal nerve and its origins to look for problems.  (My primary symptom has been facial pain--and it's the only one she seems to believe me about.)  But the one on 4/20 I specifically asked her to check for MS since that was my chief concern.  To me, the way these titles are written suggests that in fact it wasn't an MRI using the MS protocol.

The question is, does that really matter?  I mean, three MRIs you would think it would catch some lesion even if by chance if there were any.  Is this just wishful thinking?  Should I pursue another MRI?  I'm thinking of changing neuros so it might be a good time.  I actually really liked my current  neuro, but she seems to think anxiety or stress is a major cause of my problems.  And I've really tried looking into that, meditation, etc., but symptoms keep coming back.  The last time I wrote her an email asking about 1) vitamin supplements and 2) three spots of buzzing on my head and ringing ears, and if that mattered/what to do.  She responded to question 1 but complete ignored the other, which kind of makes me think it's time to move on.

Anyway.. thanks for any advice.  I've been lurking here and there and my appreciation for this forum just keeps growing.  You guys are awesome.  

[zenhound]

Right, right, I just wasn't sure if since one of them specifically said for MS (the one without contrast) and the other one didn't, if that meant they didn't use MS protocol on the second one.  

If there was a way to see the slice thickness on the MRI images I suppose I'd be able to tell myself, but couldn't find that anywhere.  

[jensequitur]

It looks like you've had two MRIs of the brain, one with contrast and one without.  

[zenhound]

Thanks for the responses.  I was just concerned that since there wasn't a specific MRI for MS with and without contrast that the basic test hadn't even been done.  Glad that's not the case.

My symptoms are mostly sensory (buzzing, pain, numbness, vision weirdness).  Nothing that can be outwardly confirmed unfortunately.  And the neuro exam was normal "except for a couple of little things" as she put it.  No one has mentioned VEP, though I did have a lot of eye exams and an ERG test which was normal.  Everything's normal normal normal.

Guess it's just a wait and see type thing at this point.  Unfortunately my HMO isn't super responsive.  I feel like there are more tests that should be done but they seem to disagree.  

[HVAC]

First of I am no Doctor. I have been told by a doctor Neurologist can tell by their exams, reflexes etc. where damage lies so then they order MRIs of that area. I have MS and have only had MRIs of the brain. My first MRI was looking for something else but showed MS lesions. The MS protocol is more about the amount of slices or sections I believe. Of course you can have no lesions and MS. MRIs do not show gray matter damage. Good luck.

Alex

[figuerpa]

Hi, I don't think we have met, my name is Paula. The only MRI I see that is missing is of your c-spine and spine. Has your neuro ordered any Evoked Potential Tests or a Lumbar Puncture?

I don't know what your symptoms are. I am by no means a doctor but those are the tests that my neuro ordered for me.

Not sure if I have helped any, but I tried :)

Paula