Brain MRI to rule out tumor

[Vivo]

What is the likelihood of a symptomatic brain tumor not showing on an unconstrasted MRI? I've been suffering from mild but persistent headache on my right hemisphere and also feel strange on left part (warm flashes on my upper left thigh, buzzing in my foot). I also have muscle twitches mainly on my left part (foot, tigh, arm and face) but sometimes on my right part also. These are fine twitches that do not result in movement of joints but I can sometimes see them under the skin.
I had brain and L-spine MRI without contrast and the report was "unremarcable" and mentioned: "no mass lesion, no abnormal Tt2 intensities, etc.) Also no compression points in the spine.
Excluding gross negligence in the interpretation of the MRI does this rule out a brain tumor? Should I ask specifically for a contrasted MRI? My GP does not seem concerned but I would not get to see a neurologist before two months (long waiting list).
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.

[goyabean]

For the last 3 weeks I have lost my sense of taste.  Three days ago, the right side of my mouth, tongue, teeth, inside cheek and lip went numb for one day.  I just had a normal brain MRI (no contrast).  The doctors are puzzled.  One doctor is suggesting that I get a contrast MRI because the no contrast MRI might not detect a possible tumor in the base of the brain.  I would like to hear comments on my situation.  I am 48 and in excellent health.  

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

MRIs should alway be interpreted along with the patients signs and symptoms. The very fact that you do not have many suspicious symptoms for a brain tumor makes the likliehood of a brain tumor showing up very small even before its done - muscle twitches as you describe are usually from the muscle and not the brain.

Unilateral headache is common particularly in migraine and you should be evaluated for a diagnosis of migraine or chronic migraine.

I cannot give you the 'all-clear' on the MRI scan, but if I was reviewing an MRI scan without contrast and it was normal, I would exclude a brain tummor, unless there were specific other things concerning me such as a history of HIV, cancer, or previous brain tumor. Its different for a CT, where a noncontrast CT scan does not ruleout a tumor, but MRI looks at a lot more detail than CT and in different ways allowing a more accurate diagnosis.

Good luck

[samsash]

What makes you think it is a brain tumor? People think headaches are really the most important symptom of a tumor but it is one of many and not really the distinguishing one. The sad thing is that your symptoms may be physical as well as psychological/behavioral in nature. What other signs do you have that are odd or unusual for you? You need a mri with gadolinium injection for an enhanced mri. Try  these sites for more info:tbts.org.abta.org,and mdanderson.org the medical center in TX, they treat a lot of tumors there and have info on their webpage. Having too much caffeine or medications of a stimulating nature can cause headaches and muscle twitches also. Headaches are so common these days I don't he will do anything if you can't come up with more tumor signs. Good luck.

[Victor81]

Hey, Im wondering why so many people think that theres a big chance someones pain is psychological.  This type of nonsense is causing doctors to second guess patients.  I will admit that IM sure there are many cases where someone is obviously a hypochondriac, but it should not be standard practice at all to assume even a 10% chance that the pain is psychological.  This should be a 1% chance at most.

[Insearchofinfo]

I am not really sure what the answer is but when I asked why I was having MRI's (head & spine) with contrast and no contrast, I was told you can see some things in each that you cannot see in the other.  I have also been told that some radiologist that read the results are better than others.  If you are concerned and continue to have symptoms, see several doctors to ensure each is telling you the same thing.  I learned the hard way not to put your health or all your faith in one doctor.