MRI RESULTS??????????

[lala47]

Hey Everyone!!!!!!!  Had another MRI the other day.  Results came back OK.  My first MRI showed 2 lesions.  My question is the first MRI was done on a new MRI machine at our local hospital, the second one was done on a open MRI machine.  I don't know the strenghts of either machine.  Can the open MRI machine be the same as a closed machine?  Is their any difference?  Because of the results, my GP seems more confused than ever.

Thanks
lala47

[Fluffysmom]

I have BC/BS also, and I've had close to a dozen MRIs in the last year.  There must be some way that doctor's order the test (use the right diagnostic code) so that mine get approved, or maybe it's because things are different here in Oregon.  I have MedAdvantage; maybe that makes a difference.j

I sure hope that your new neurologist can figure out the right way to code things to get you a MRI that actually shows what's really going on.

You go on and fight for it, girl.  We got your back, here, and will be here sending you good energy and thoughts and prayers and hugs to help you stand up for quality health care.  :o)

Kathy  

[lala47]

So good to hear from you.  Hope your feeling better!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for the info. I did read the Health pages and that's what made me question this.  I can see that getting some kind of DX is going to be fight.  I just hope that I have it in me to cont.  I have a hard time making myself go see a DR.  I don't like to complain, but I guess I'm just going to have to suck it up and fight for myself.  Regardless if my suggestions tick her off or not.  She knows me I worked at the local hospital for 23 yrs.  So maybe that will help.

Thanks

Lori

[lala47]

That ended sounding funny!!!!  Let me rephrase that.  I have BC/BS through the state which pays good.  That's why I said great insurance..

Lori

[Quixotic1]

Oh, my dear, your doc wasted your time and money.  A 0.3T MRI machine is worthless (read that: WORTHLESS) in evaluating for MS.  So you went backwards.  The 0.3 machine would likely not show anything but the most huge of any lesions!  Your GP probably doesn't even know that there are different strengths of machine out there.

The 1.0 is the weakest machine allowable for use in diagnosing MS.  In the MS standards Protocol all diagnostic scans looking for MS must be done on a 1.0 or higher machine.  The 1.5 machines show many more lesions than the 1.0.  And the 3.0T machines show up to 25% more lesions than the 1.5.  As you go up in strength and resolution the machines can pick up more and more.

You can go to the Health Pages and read the one titled something like, "What is the Difference between the Old MRIs and the New MRI machines."

I can also find the info on the basic requirements for an adequate MRI scan to be used to look for signs of MS.  Few open MRIs have enough resolution to see the smaller lesions.

Quix G. Williker

[lala47]

Thanks, But their is a problem!!!!!  My insurance put me on hold to review my case before they would approve this MRI.  So I'm not sure if they will approve another one anytime soon.  For some reason my GP also ordered a MRA  not sure why????  But I was not able have it because the insurance comp would not approve it.  I have great insurance.

Lori

[Fluffysmom]

Oh, I'd say that would make a big difference.  The MRI that I had on a .3 was very poor resolution; Quix said it would be good enough for the neurosurgeon to get a clear picture of the bony structure, is what I think she said.

I'm not surprised that no lesions would show up on a .3; that really doesn't show much clearly, and most likely wouldn't pick up the increased signal that a lesion produces.

A 1 tesla is stronger, but still less than the 1.5 that my brain MRIs have been on.  I believe that Quix suggested at least a 1.5 for the brain, and a 3 tesla for spinal MRIs.
The 1 tesla could be strong enough to pick up some lesions, so the first MRI probably was the more accurate.  It would be interesting to see what a 1.5 machine or a 3 tesla MRI would show.  Please do ask your new neuro for a better MRI!

If you could show your GP some information on how lesions show up on MRI, and that the stronger machines are more likely to give a clearer picture of what is going on, do you think that they will order a higher strength MRI so that you will have it to take with you to the new neurologist?

There is such information in our Health Pages, or you might find something on the MS Society web site that will help your GP understand how important this is to your health.  The difficult thing is presenting the information without hurting the GP's pride.

Can someone else pitch in with the best way to deal with this situation?  Should Lori wait for the new neurologist to possibly order new MRI, or is there a delicate way of asking her GP to order a higher tesla MRI?

wishing you well,

Kathy

[lala47]

Yes, thanks so much.  I just called the open MRI office and they said that theirs was a .3 and they thought the one at the hosp. was a 1.  Does that make a difference?

Lori

[Fluffysmom]

Oops, you had written while I was writing!

I hope you get to see an new neurologist soon, and that he/she will send you for new MRIs, hopefully 3 tesla, for the clearest picture.

Good luck!

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

My experience is that most facilities use a 1.5 Tesla machine; if they use a 3 Tesla, they would probably let you know.  

Most Open MRIs are .7 tesla, and don't show things as clearly.  I had one neurosurgeon send me to an Open MRI connected with his office, and I found out later that it was a .3, which is really weak.

I have been in a 3 Tesla machine, and it feels different; the magnetic force is so strong that my body heated up, and I felt queasy.  They actually have a 5 tesla machine at the teaching hospital where I will be seeing an MS specialist.

Oh, if you have a copy of your MRI, there is a number on each page, like a model number or something, that will include the 1.5 or .7 or 3, showing what tesla machine was used.

The Open MRI would not have given as clear a picture, so it could have missed changes, if the previous machine was a 1.5 or better.

Hope this makes things a little clearer!

Kathy

[lala47]

Thanks Tonya I felt like I already knew this, just wanted confirmation.  She called me with the  2nd MRI results, stated that it was neg. at that point I ask her what she thought and she said well I don't think it MS.  Like maybe the first MRI was bogus or that the lesions were gone, so its not MS.  I did not say anything because she has the degree!!  I knew from reading this forum that the machine made alot of difference.  She did say that she was prob. going to set me up with another neuro. at UAB.  I live in Alabama.  We'll see.

Thanks
lala

[tonyad]

Yes, It does and can make a difference in the MRI machine.
I do know that an open MRI is not near as 'strong' or as clear as the closed.
I also know that the best MRI is the 3Tesla.
Is he confused because now he does not see any lesions? If that is the case it would be because the Tesla3 can make images up to 25% more visible.
Hope that makes sense.
~Tonya