could a mri miss any details?

Fiona_Jo

[COLOR=Blue]MRI's will not necessarily show everything that is going on. Was your MRI with or WITHOUT contrast (because that can make a difference). If there is nerve compression (which the symptoms you describe could very well be from nerve compression.) How long have you been having this pain? How long ago was the injury? Did you request a copy of the type written report from the radiologist that did your MRI, if you DON'T have a copy, I would DEFINITELY call on Monday and ask for a copy of the type-written report. "Not seeing anything", sounds like a very vague statement. If you are STILL in pain then additional tests are likely necessary to figure out what is causing the pain .. a more definitive MRI, an EMG, etc. There are other tests out there that very well may be more effective at telling you and Doctors what is going on. The fact remains you are still in pain .. therefore your Doctors need to work with you to uncover what is causing the pain. Again, an excellent first step would be for you to call the facility WHERE you had your MRI and request the typed report (they will usually mail or if it is convenient you can pick it up). There are so many people on this board that are SO knowledgable and you can just post what the type written report says and you will get informed feedback from the group. Again, NO test is definitive, so at this point since you are still in pain your Doctor(s) need to run additional tests to uncover the cause of the pain. Keep us posted on what you find out! You will find this is a very informative and helpful group.

-Jo [/COLOR]

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080807-Cervical-Stim~071707-ACDF-C5-C7 w/instrumentation/bone graft~'07/06 Lumber instrum. removed 05/04-Fusion(DDD/Collapsed Disc L5-S1)08/99-Microdisectomy(Herniated Disc) ~Lupus/EDS,Migraine

feelbad

Was the MRI done strictly on your lower back?If so, you need to go further up the spinal column as the problem could be up there.Just because you are showing the symptoms in your lower torso does not always mean that that is where the problem lies,trust me.You could very well have aggrevated something in your upper spine while feeling the effects down below.I do think you should have a full spinal MRI just to rule out this possibility if nothing else.And MRIs can miss certain problems along the spine,so just because there is nothing showing, does not always mean that there is not a problem.It will just take much more detailed tests to find the problem.Keep pushing this.Those symptoms HAVE to be stemming from something.Good luck and keep us posted,**

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3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.

Tirzah

I just read an article yesterday that made alot of sense to me. There is an mri machine now that can take pictures while the patient is sitting or standing. It explained that a persons spine can change while sitting or standing and they can see problems that they couldn't see while the patient is stretched out on their backs. The article showed images from the same spine in both a laying down and a sitting position and the difference was amazing. Unfortunitly I don't think alot of facilities have this eqipement yet. If you live by a big city you may want to call around and check or mention this to your spine specialist.
Tirzah

duttin

yes, a MRI doesn't always pick up everything I had 2 MRI's with and without contrast My Doctor sent me for a mylogram,not a test of choice but pretty accurate.A lot depends on who reads them.

There is a MRI facility in Texas that does work with movement.The only one in the USA,so far.I have an appointment in October.

lallerb

I had a regular MRI done that only showed a small 2mm disc protrusion at L1-L2. A year later I had a [COLOR=Navy]POSITIONAL MRI [/COLOR] which showed that disc to be 5mm. It also showed a tumor at T2, along with a small bulge at L4-L5 and at T11-T12. The 2nd MRI had me sitting up, hunching forward and arching backward. I strongly recommend you try to get this type of MRI if at all possible. Doesn't it make sense that things would show up with pressure on the spine rather than lying flat on your back? Who normally spends their life in that position?

Good luck!!!