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Best Diagnostic Tool?

by dm1998, Aug 07, 2007 11:47PM
What is the best diagnostic tool - MRI with or MRI without contrast - when looking for changes (last test was MRI w/ contrast 4 years ago) in someone with failed back surgery syndrome - s/p L4-L5 lumbar laminectomy/foraminotomy/discectomy/DJD/DDD/nerve entrapment L4-L5/radiculopathy/inner thigh pain/leg atrophy w/different coloring (more pink) than other leg? MRI without contrast has been ordered, however, in the past this has been done and had to repeated with contrast in order to better assess changes. The scanning facility has said that MRI without contrast will produce a sub-optimal result. Repeating the scan would be costly, time-consuming and subjective to more-than-needed radiation. Why would it not be recommended as a first step?
Thank you for your professional opinions.  
Member Comments (1)

by patsy10, Aug 09, 2007 08:29AM
There is no radiation with a MRI .  It's all magnetic.   MRI with and without contrast is your best diagnostic tool.
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