Followup pelvic ultrasound or MRI

[cthsmom]

My lab report had the above suggested. Pros or cons on each?

With an MRI I won't have to drink a ton of water, right? :D

~Suzanne

[CandieKhol]

I just had an oophrectomy on june 1st, while in the er they performed 1 mri 2 ct scans and finally an ultrasound. Each Ct & MRI scan revealed nothing, the ultrasound actually showed the dark mass and spot where my ovary had apparently twisted around to. The 1st series of ct scans weren't clear enough to reveal if the issue was my colon or my ovary! I then I had to get a rectal ct scan (not the most pleasant thing as you can imagine)which didn't show much more but they did see some sort of mass..and the doctor's ruled out any colon issues. Three days later I was back in the ER and I had an ultrasound about 4 hours later I went in for surgery. So I'm not saying mri and ct scans aren't helpful, however the US showed where my problem was immediately and the ct scans and mri's seemed more like something supplemental and personally if I had the chose, I would have choosen the US first, the 1st ct scan didn't even show a cyst because my ovary was hidden behind the colon.

[mrsomes]

I had a pelvic ultrasound done to get more details about an ovarian cyst that a CAT scan had detected.   It was a very quick, easy and painless procedure and gave my Dr much more info about the type of cyst I had.  (ie: fluid filled vs solid mass).  She was able to make a determination on my next course of treatment based on that test.  Never needed the MRI.   I would imagine what test you have would depend on what your Dr is looking for.  Good luck.

[winemaker]

My dr. told me that the followup TVUS doesn't require the full bladder. The full bladder is for the abdominal US through your tummy - it keeps everything pushed out where they can differentiate the uterus and ovaries from the bowel, etc.

Also, I've had many MRIs (brain tumor - don't worry, low risk!). The MRI is usually about 15 minutes, unless they are doing crazy scans for cancer (my longest one was 2 hrs!!!!) They can actually do a scan to determine the chemical makeup of tumors and tissues and also very acurate blood flow images.

If you are claustrophobic at all, your doctor will willingly give you something for anxiety. I require double xanax, since I am very clostrophobic. I see it as a mental vacation...

Good luck! Cathy

[LitDoc]

However, the MRI can involve an injection for contrast. It's not the iodine you get with a CT-scan, it's a radioactive substance. My doc requested a transvaginal utrasound first, a CT-scan second, then an MRI with bone scan.
Good luck!

[D'arcy]

The MRI isn't difficult at all and you get to be dressed for that one. It's quick and if you're not bothered with tight spaces and lots of banging it's no problem at all.


I didn't have the other...

[livertrans]

The ultrasound and MRI show different aspects of the anatomy.  If they are doing an endovaginal ultrasound you don't have to drink water.  Some places like you to come prepped for a regular pelvic but it depends on what they are looking at.  I've have the endovag for the last year and a half to check the growth and appearance of a complex cyst.  It's something you may have to ask you doc about.