greenacres
11-13-2007, 02:42 PM
Had my cervical/thoracic MRI this AM. It was ordered "with contrast", however the tech said they may not need the contrast. I said "I thought the contrast made lesions brighter and more noticeable"? She said, "well, if the radiologist feels he has enough info to make a diagnosis, we won't need the contrast". We DID NOT need the contrast. So, this tells me they found lesions? What do you guys think? I have to wait two days and give them a call for results. The tech is also aware that I have spine (deg disk disease). This was a VERY long MRI - I was almost at my wits end, I was hurting all over the place and I squeezed the ball and asked her how much more longer. She said we are done. I spent 1.5 hrs in that tube, uuuugggggh! My neuro appt isn't until 12/5.
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moore170
11-13-2007, 03:24 PM
From what I understand the contrast shows if the lesion is active. I personally don't think they should have made this decision. The contrast image gives your neuro more info.
Candy
Candy
MSNik
11-13-2007, 10:09 PM
Hi. I have to question where you had this MRI done. A tech doesnt have the authority to NOT do what the doctor ordered and Ive never heard of a radiologist who didnt follow doctors instructions, either. I would be calling my NEURO (or whoever ordered the MRI) tomorrow and I would be filing a complaint with the Medical Board in my state....
The contrast does give alot more info then just brightening or highlighting the lesions and it should have been done. Get your doctor invovled, and next time, use another facility!
Good luck with your results....please keep us posted.
The contrast does give alot more info then just brightening or highlighting the lesions and it should have been done. Get your doctor invovled, and next time, use another facility!
Good luck with your results....please keep us posted.
greenacres
11-20-2007, 10:55 AM
Hi MSNIK - I got the report from my MRI and it does say "MRI without Contrast", but how on earth do I find out "how my Dr. actually ordered the MRI to be done?". I don't want to sound like a psycho and call and ask him how he ordered it, do you know what i mean? Also, this hospital is the only one in the area HOWEVER, my neuro is from a different hospital, so I will ask him if he thinks it SHOULD Have been done w/contrast and if he agrees, ask for another in his hospital. You see, he comes from another facility 2x a month to see patients here because "we" have no neuro's at our hospital.
Weird, but the MRI machine here...how do I find out what "strength" it is? Do you think I can call and ask about that information righ tto the radiology department and they would know (like the receptionists?). Thanks MSNIK - you are so very helpful to this board.
Weird, but the MRI machine here...how do I find out what "strength" it is? Do you think I can call and ask about that information righ tto the radiology department and they would know (like the receptionists?). Thanks MSNIK - you are so very helpful to this board.
MSNik
11-20-2007, 07:15 PM
Hi greenacres.
Thanks for the compliments, they are appreciated! However, lets talk about your questions, they are more important.
How do you find out what strength the machine was that was used? You can call the radiology department, and they should be able to tell you, but dont be surrprised if the receptionist cant tell you, she might have to ask a tech. It also MIGHT say it on your report....did you look?
As for the question about how did your doctor order this, you stated in the beginning that the doctor ordered it with contrast, and your issue was that the tech decided that you didnt need the contrast...how do you find out which way the doctor actually ordered it is simply by going back and asking to see the prescription! You could call your doctor and ask him, and you can suggest if he ordered it without that the next time it be done WITH; but its not likely that they will repeat it within 6 months unless there is a really good reason. Most insurnance companies wont pay for it again anyway within a 6 month period.
How far away is the hospital where the Neuro is on staff? IF it is in driving distance, for now on, I would definately go to that facility to have all testing done...it makes a whole lot more sense to have it done where he has access to the results immediately, as well as being able to admit you, or treat you, if necessary. By him coming to you (and I understand that there are no other options in your local hospital) but you are putting more room for mistakes and human error to take place...
Wishing you well and a happy holiday!
Nikki
Thanks for the compliments, they are appreciated! However, lets talk about your questions, they are more important.
How do you find out what strength the machine was that was used? You can call the radiology department, and they should be able to tell you, but dont be surrprised if the receptionist cant tell you, she might have to ask a tech. It also MIGHT say it on your report....did you look?
As for the question about how did your doctor order this, you stated in the beginning that the doctor ordered it with contrast, and your issue was that the tech decided that you didnt need the contrast...how do you find out which way the doctor actually ordered it is simply by going back and asking to see the prescription! You could call your doctor and ask him, and you can suggest if he ordered it without that the next time it be done WITH; but its not likely that they will repeat it within 6 months unless there is a really good reason. Most insurnance companies wont pay for it again anyway within a 6 month period.
How far away is the hospital where the Neuro is on staff? IF it is in driving distance, for now on, I would definately go to that facility to have all testing done...it makes a whole lot more sense to have it done where he has access to the results immediately, as well as being able to admit you, or treat you, if necessary. By him coming to you (and I understand that there are no other options in your local hospital) but you are putting more room for mistakes and human error to take place...
Wishing you well and a happy holiday!
Nikki
tarapags1107
11-21-2007, 07:59 AM
Hi greenacres-
I am an mri tech and understand why you didn't need contrast. We as techs go by the radiologist's orders. They have the ultimate say in as whether or not a patient recieves contrast. If your neuro checked off contrast, a radiologist interprets the films/images, and therefore it is up to his/her discression to whether or not they need the dye. Alot of radiologists are trying to cut back on giving gadolinium because of the small number of adverse reactions causing a debillitaing disease called NSF in people with kidney problems or renal insufficiency. To be diagnosed with MS, you do not need to have contrast. The lesions show up on specific sequences (the different noises you here) especially T2, Flair, or Stir weighted images. These are just different names for the sounds you here and the breaks inbetween. If you are diagnosed with MS, then you might have follow ups with contrast to see if the lesions are inactive or active. They will still be seen but after the injection they will "highlight" or enhance if they are in an active state. And some radiologists still feel that the gadolinium contrast isn't necessary for this either while others do. I've come to realize that in this field, (at least in my hospital), the radiologist's that order less amount of sequences (noises you here) and or contrast are more confident with themselves and less likely to make what is called a differential diagnosis. (Meaning that what you have could be something or something else). I would definately trust the radiologist because they interpret the films for a living. Even when neuros come into our department on off hours to read inpatient cases, they cannot and will not dictate these cases, and will not give the patient a diagnosis until the radiologist has reviewed them when they are in the department. So please do not get discouraged, if you have MS it will show up on the images without contrast. Good luck with your results and I hope this helps.
Take care,
Tara
I am an mri tech and understand why you didn't need contrast. We as techs go by the radiologist's orders. They have the ultimate say in as whether or not a patient recieves contrast. If your neuro checked off contrast, a radiologist interprets the films/images, and therefore it is up to his/her discression to whether or not they need the dye. Alot of radiologists are trying to cut back on giving gadolinium because of the small number of adverse reactions causing a debillitaing disease called NSF in people with kidney problems or renal insufficiency. To be diagnosed with MS, you do not need to have contrast. The lesions show up on specific sequences (the different noises you here) especially T2, Flair, or Stir weighted images. These are just different names for the sounds you here and the breaks inbetween. If you are diagnosed with MS, then you might have follow ups with contrast to see if the lesions are inactive or active. They will still be seen but after the injection they will "highlight" or enhance if they are in an active state. And some radiologists still feel that the gadolinium contrast isn't necessary for this either while others do. I've come to realize that in this field, (at least in my hospital), the radiologist's that order less amount of sequences (noises you here) and or contrast are more confident with themselves and less likely to make what is called a differential diagnosis. (Meaning that what you have could be something or something else). I would definately trust the radiologist because they interpret the films for a living. Even when neuros come into our department on off hours to read inpatient cases, they cannot and will not dictate these cases, and will not give the patient a diagnosis until the radiologist has reviewed them when they are in the department. So please do not get discouraged, if you have MS it will show up on the images without contrast. Good luck with your results and I hope this helps.
Take care,
Tara
duttin
11-22-2007, 01:01 AM
Greenacres,
I can relate to the longevity of being in that machine,I just had a series of MRI's and it took 2 and a half hours.
Mine were with and without contrast and on the script my neuro had contrast underline.
I'm not disputing what Tara had stated but in our state the orders have to be followed as instructed inorder for insurance to pay.
Also on my script it stated that I was to leave with films in hand,I dropped them off to my neuro right afterwards.he compared his findings to the radiologist findings.
If you feel that the radiologist department made an error you need to address it.The weight of the machine should be stated on the report.
T
I can relate to the longevity of being in that machine,I just had a series of MRI's and it took 2 and a half hours.
Mine were with and without contrast and on the script my neuro had contrast underline.
I'm not disputing what Tara had stated but in our state the orders have to be followed as instructed inorder for insurance to pay.
Also on my script it stated that I was to leave with films in hand,I dropped them off to my neuro right afterwards.he compared his findings to the radiologist findings.
If you feel that the radiologist department made an error you need to address it.The weight of the machine should be stated on the report.
T