Has anyone had an MS proctocol MRI?

[Sarahsmom46]

I know this seems like a silly question, but I don't know who else to ask.  I was wondering if anyone has had an MRI done under MS protocol.  If so, was the test significantly longer than the regular MRI?  

I am asking because I had a brain MRI last week that was 1.5 hours.  I was a basket case when the technician came in and let me out of that thing.  I have had several brain MRI in the past 6 months and they only took 40 minutes which is no big deal, bot 1.5 hours.  So, I'm just wondering whether the MS protocol takes longer than an MRI done for general purposes since this MRI was done at a facility doing MS research.  Thanks.  

Julie

[addicted2harleys]

Well, shoot.  I just saw the original post was made two years ago...so scratch my previous post!

Fzbrick - I don't know what that means...sorry.  I will suggest that you start a new thread for your question.   To do this, click on the green button that says "post a question" up at the top of this page.  :)

Addi

[addicted2harleys]

I have a brain MRI with MS protocols on a 3T machine scheduled for tomorrow morning.  I will let you know how long it takes...

Addi

[fzbrick]

Does anyone know what ep2d_diff stands for?

[doublevision1]

My last MRI of brain, C- and T-spine, w and w/o contrast, took abour 1.5 hrs on a 1.5T machine.  The requisition specified MS.  

BTW, this was done on Nov 17/08 and my GP still doesn't have the results!  There's a problem with a shortage of transcriptionists in this area.  Only the urgent MRIs are being transcribed ASAP .  I would say I'm at the bottom of the priority list, mine was not urgent, I'm already dx'ed, this is just a follow up that I requested to see how things look, six months after starting Copaxone.  I am curious though, and I hope it gets done soon!

This thread reminds me that Quix asked me to post the CMSC MS protocol on the Health Pages.  OOPS!  I'll try to get that done tonight, before I forget again.  It is very useful information for patients to arm themselves with.



PS: Do you all get to listen to the radio with headphones during your MRI?  It does make the time seem to go faster, just make sure they put it on a station you like! [no country music for me, thanks!  'cept maybe Johnny Cash and the Dixie Chicks]

[jensequitur]

Just a note to clarify what they mean by 'MS Protocol.'  There are standards that they use when testing for MS that they don't need to follow when testing for other diseases - hence the 'protocol' designation.  If my memory's working right, that means:  no less than 1.5 Tesla for the spine, always use contrast... and I can't remember what else - but the CMSC MS protocol writeup should be easy enough to google.  

Certain sequences aren't as useful as others, so there's no point in doing them.  This might actually make for a shorter MRI session if they're scanning less stuff.  Mostly MS protocol is to help the radiologist filter out the useful information from the bad.

Lulu, as far as I know, the 3T time will depend on the machine being used.  It's just like digital cameras - some are slower, some are faster.  But ask Sunny - she's been through one.

[Lulu54]

All the MRI talk yesterday had me pull out my latest films again to take a look and I saw something I hadn't noticed before - it is clearly marked that my MRI was done on a 1.5T Siemens MRI and not a 3T.  I even asked the tech the strength of the machine before we started the imaging and she said it was a 3T.  Surely the software program that burned the images wouldn't misidentify the equipment used.

Now I'm wondering and if that would make a difference in the length of time it took to complete my MRI.

If I understand it, the 3T takes longer than the 1.5 - am I right?

Later,
Lulu

[sllowe]

Hi there,

From what I understand, the additional sequences will take longer.  Mine were about 1.5 hrs each (i.e. brain c-and tspine).

When I had my 1st brain MRI, the order specified "headache." This one too took over an hour and did show lesions.  Just mentioning this because I'm sure they did not use an MS protocol but still saw what they needed to.

My last set of MRIs this year included some fancy 3-D sequences or something or other.  They too took awhile too. . . Machine was 1.5 though.

Glad they kept you in that blasted hole a little longer...lol.... Seriously,  hope they saw everything!

What day did you go? You might be able to get your hands on those reports this week! And, they should report the sequences!
ttys,
Shell

[Sarahsmom46]

I think Amy hit the nail on the head for why this might have taken a bit longer.  I recall the doctor mentioning that they would be checking the optic nerves too.  This MRI was done on a 1.5T this time and the instructions said it would take 1.5 hours for the test and they were right.  

I am having another brain MRI next month as part of this study and if it is expected to go another 90 min, then I might need to find another way to keep myself occupied as I started going a little bonkers after the one hour mark.

Thanks for the information.  I knew you guys would be the best ones to ask.

Julie

[Fluffysmom]

The only thing I can think of is that maybe some of the images weren't clear and they had to re-image it, or something like that.  My brain MRIs took less than an hour each.

Who knows for sure?  I suppose you could the MRI department and ask why your MRI took so much longer than the ones you have had in the past.  I'd probably ask if it were me, just because I'm always so curious about everything.

Kathy

[essdipity]

This past summer I had brain and c-spine done, with and without, on a 3T machine at Hopkins. I was in that dratted thing for an hour and 40 minutes. MS was specified on the order, so I'm sure that protocol was followed.

ess

[Quixotic1]

My brain and spine MRI on a 3T with and without contrast took three hours.

All of my MRIs have been with a strict and enhanced (stuff added to it) MRI Protocol.

Q

[sunshine8]

I have had three brain MRI's w/wo contrast, all done on a 1.5T machine. My Neuro said they were following MRI protocol. All of them lasted about 30 minutes.

I had a full spine series (C, T and Lumbar) w/wo contrast on a 1.5T machine that took a little over an hour.

I also had an MRI of the orbital region w/wo contrast on the same machine following a bout of optic neuritis that lasted 45 minutes.

I found it strange that the orbital MRI took longer than the brain MRI, but they said it was because the machine took smaller slices.

-Amy

[doni54]

I had the brain MRI w/wo contrast in Oct with MS protocol.  It took about 45 mins.  When I asked how long the spine MRI would be, done w/wo contrast with MS protocol, I was told 1.5 hrs or more.

So, it does sound like yours was quick, but if they got the images they needed then that should be what matters.

I guess different labs are faster than others.

doni

[Lulu54]

Oh I didn't answer your real question - was it longer than the regular MRI?  No, my one this summer on the 1.5T machine before my dx was 40 minutes for my brain. My spine MRI was the whole series and it took 80 minutes to do all three sections.  I know this because it was scheduled for 1 hour for each section (for a total of 3 hours)  and it took about 1/2 half the time to do all of them.  I even talked to the tech about it when we were done.  

There are people on here, including Q I think, who write about much longer time in the tube or doughnut!

Lulu

[Lulu54]

Hi Julie,
This one confuses me as well.  My brain and cervical spine MRI done in December on a 3T MRI with and without contrast to MS protocol took a total of 65 minutes from start to finish.  This was done at the MS center.  I expected it to last longer, and even the tech had said it would take 90 minutes went we sent my husband off to do other things.  

All I can think is I was an extremely cooperative patient and that sped up the process?

I have seen this question before here on the forum - perhaps that is one you might consider posting for Dr. Kantor to answer.  

My best,
Lulu