CT scan vs. MRI - Brain & Nervous System Disorders Message Board

CrazyCatLady · 09-25-2003, 11:30 PM

I recently had a CT scan of the brain that was normal.

My mother's friend is a neuro ICU nurse for 5 years and I was talking to her about this and my symptoms. She said that she was surprised that they didn't do an MRI instead.

I asked her if a CT scan could miss anything and she said that a CT scan won't pick up tumors unless they are very large, but an MRI most certainly would. She also said that it didn't matter whether I had contrast or not (which I did).

She recommended going back to my doctor and asking to have an MRI just to be sure.

I've been considering going back to the doctor, but I don't want to be a pain in the butt.

Any opinions on this or does anyone know if one test is better than the other?

Thanks

10-02-2003, 12:31 PM

Hi~

Please don't panic and talk to your doctor and have him answer the questions to your satisfaction that your moms friend raised/brought to your attention.

I had an mri of the brain and they saw something, a lesion 9mm. They sent me for a CT to pinpoint it's location. Both scans were with & without contrast. This lesion was weighted on T2. It showed up in the contrast. There is newer and better technology out there.

If a medical professional is making this/a recommendation and statements of such, have her back you up,-if she believes that is the case and please do speak to your Doctor about your concerns.

It is disconcerting the statements some professionals make in the medical community.

Take Care.

[This message has been edited by Gemi (edited 10-02-2003).]

CrazyCatLady · 10-07-2003, 02:39 PM

Tnanks for replying. I'm not too scared about it. I just recall reading somewhere on this board that someone had an EEG, MRI, and CAT scan and the CAT scan was the only one that came back negative. I've also heard and read that CAT scans are used more for acute injury and they don't "see" the soft tissues of the brain as well as an MRI. I haven't been back to the doctor yet mainly because I don't want to make a big deal out of what could be and probably is nothing.

Did you say your lesion was in your brain or on your spine? I guess I'm unclear as to what "weighted on T2" means. What were your symptoms? I'm just curious to see what other people's symptoms are.

Thanks again for replying.

slyJohn · 10-09-2003, 02:35 PM

i was just lurking around here and thought i could help. CT scans and MRIs have their advantages. i have been having constant pain in my left groin, no diagnosis. But I have been scheduled for a CT scan and MRI of my leg. Well the CT scan was already done with contrast. I got a CT scan to check for a hernia or any masses. Now an MRI can reveal your muscles and nerves as well as masses and everything else. Overall, an MRI is better in detail but a CT scan is easier to see certain areas of the body and can rule out anything serious. CT scans are great for finding masses even very tiny ones, not sure why your mother's friend said otherwise.
Also one more little note, I had an MRI of my back and something came up on my lower lumbar spine which could not be identified. So I was ordered a CT scan and the CT scan showed just a very tiny cyst in my bone. Nothing serious and probably something I've had my entire life. Anyhow, this shows MRIs and CT scans go hand in hand so it would be nice and more relieving for you to get both tests i suppose.

CrazyCatLady · 10-09-2003, 07:00 PM

Thank you for replying. I think your right about having both tests just to make sure.

My mom's friend was not the only person who has had things to say about CT scans. I have a friend who had a brain tumor removed when she was 13. She started having symptoms when she was 12. They eventually did a CT scan, which was completely normal. Then, a few weeks later, she had an MRI because the symptoms persisted and got worse, and that showed a tumor the size of a golf ball in her frontal lobe.

Also I specifically saw someone post on these boards, I can't remember who now, who said that her CT scan was totally normal, but her EEG and MRI weren't.

I'm just trying to talk to other people because I want to try to get some "facts" straight for when I go to the doctor and back myself up as to why I think I should have an MRI. Then again, with the combination of symptoms I've been having, they should send me for one anyway.