Radiologist didn't do ordered contrast MRI

[profmagro]

My 10 year-old daughter has been experiencing visual disturbances (blurriness and large balck area in the middle of her visual field) as well as stomach pain/nausea.  The neurologist ordered an MRI with and without gadolinium contrast. When we went for the the MRI, we were told the radiologist would do the MRI with contrast "if needed."  No MRI with contrast was done.  I can't get in for the followup until next week and am concerned by the fact that he didn't do it the MRI with and without contrast.  Is it good news (i.e, he didn't see anything to worry about) or bad news (i.e., something was so obvious on the regular MRI that he didn;t need the contrast to spot it)?

[profmagro]

Thanks for the response.

[Dr Vinod]

MRI without contrast also is a good tool for diagnosis and throws light on many a  problem. The final say is a Radiologist who would go for the best possible test to help the neurologist in diagnosing the case. If he has valuable findings he would have thought that there is no need to do a contrast, the other reason would be he did not find it necessary, the other reason is he might do it later. Communicate it to your neurologist and wait for the advice as this is not your decision not to do it. The most important thing is diagnosis of your child's problem and if required you have to go for it and also have to know the reasons of the Radiologist decision. Take care!