MRI

[luverofrogs]

I'm finally going to be getting my brain MRI film.  I've tried before and I was only given the report.  They must have changed staff during my move because it was a breeze to get it mailed out to me this morning:o).  I'm curious to see it.

Has anyone ever had a report that said non-remarkable when something was really there?  I'm pretty sure that my neurologist before didn't look at the actual film himself, just the report.  I know with my son's MRI, there was a difference in opinion about the results being normal or not.  Also will an MRI that is ordered looking for vasculitis find MS lesions?  I've read about the MS protocol and was wondering if there's a difference.  I was told that the neuro didn't want to put suspicions of MS on my chart when he ordered the MRI.  

Thanks:o).

[luverofrogs]

Another thing I was wondering about.  When they did my MRI, they shoved this big piece of plastic into my shoulder.  It *hurt!  Is that normal?  It was laying off to my side, when they did the contrast injection, but it rammed into my shoulder blade when they put me back into the machine.  I kept trying to tell them, but they didn't respond other than to tell me to hold still.

[luverofrogs]

Here is what my report says other than the dr/my info:

Reason for exam: HA's/BLURRED VISION

HISTORY: headache and blurred vision

TECHNIQUE: Sagittal, axial and coronal images of the brain were obtained before and after Gadolinium administration.

FINDINGS: The diffusion-weighted images are unremarkable.  The pitutitary gland height is 8mm which is within the normal range.  There is no differential enhancement within the pitutiary gland.  The craniocervical junction is unremarkable.  The long TR images show no parenchymal signal abnormalities.  The brainstem is unremarkable.  There is no hydrocephalus.  Post contract images show no extra-axial collections, vascular malformations or distrubances of blood brain barrier.

IMPRESSION:  UNREMARKABLE ENHANCED CRANIAL MRI.



That's it.  The neuro said that because this MRI showed nothing at all, that I should be put in a wait and see catagory.  The neuropsychologist's exam and the neuro exam both showed findings, but the MRI did not. All blood tests were normal.  He said no further testing was necessary.

My new primary dr here wanted me to get into a neuro asap after seeing me, so I'll be seeing my new neuro here next week.  She requested that I bring the old films.  I'm also bringing my copies of the report from the MRI and the neuropsychological exam as well as the notes the eye dr here wrote up for the neuro.  My primary said he'd send my medical records upstairs to the neuro prior to my appt (they are in the same building).  

I am so hoping for answers!!

[luverofrogs]

Thank you:o).  

My new neurologist that I see next week requested that I bring the films from the MRI with me to my first appointment.  I should have the disk by then.  I'm hoping she'll look at it.  

[Lulu54]

That is crazy - the neuro should have given the orders to do the MRI to look for demyelinating disease.  

And a neuro who is worthy doesn't use the radiologist's report, but reads it for him/herself.  They are the ones who don't want to be influenced and want to make up their own dx.

It is my understanding that lesions can show up, regardless of what type of MRI protocol is done - that's how so many of were discovered to have lesions in the first place.  

Can you take those films and go to a new neuro?  It might be worth a second opinion.

Lulu