How long do MRI with IAC with Contrast take?

[ellen124]

Hello Everyone,  First off I want to thank you all for your kind words over the past few days.  My husband finally had his MRI with contrast done this afternoon.  I am just so relieved---no matter what I will know what is happening.  Anyway, how long does that test take.  He was in the scan room for over an hour?   I thought the radiologist was very kind coming out to me and telling me the doctor would notify me in 24 hours the results.  ( I didn't even ask--- I was planning on it but he beat me too it).  Of course I am trying not to read into him coming out to tell me that.

Just wanted to know if the MRI does take that long?  I guess I sort of figure you'd either see it on the screen or you don't.

Again thanks for all your support. I will let you know the results once I know.  My husband is very blessed to have a support group like this for his wife to reach out to ......otherwise I think  I would have driven him batty!!!!!!!  Ellen

[Jim Scott]

Ellen ~

'Raw' MRI scans are available almost immediately but the usual protocol is for a radiologist to 'read' them and write a report.  Although, to a trained eye i.e. a physician, an acoustic neuroma would be noticeable on the MRI scan results unless it were extremely tiny (a possibility).  The radiologist's report should be definitive (one way or the other) and that is what the doctor is awaiting. 

Some neurosurgeons (mine, for instance) received a copy of the MRI scans almost immediately and due to his expertise, was able to read them and make an immediate diagnosis.  Of course, my AN was large and fairly unmistakable to a trained eye. 

In any case, you'll have an answer by this time tomorrow.  We're here for you and are almost as anxious as you (and your husband) are to learn the results. 

Jim

[LakeErie]

Regarding the time the brain scan itself takes: it is usually 45 to 50 minutes. The scan is of the entire brain not just the IAC's. The contrast is administered IV for the latter part of the scan when the IAC's are checked.
There is no meaning attached to the time the scan requires. It takes the same time if there is an AN or not. There is some additional time added to remove the IV and get the patient sitting and standing safely, precautions. An hour is not unusual. Good luck

[james e]

My MRI was done at Scott & White Medical Center in central Texas.  My doctor ordered the MRI, and I had the MRI the next day at 9am and my doctor called me about 4 hours later with the results. S&W is one of those centers that everything run like clock work, and every time I get treated there, the results are always immediate. My doctor scheduled my first appointment with a surgeon for the next day.

James

[steve399]

mine went as follows:

15 mins w/o contrast, injection, then another 5-7 mins with contrast.  I was in an open MRI wearing
a device that looked like a hockey mask.  I was offered valium but declined.  I was given a CD when I
left and had the report the following day.

[wilderem]

Just finished my 7th MRI.  MRIs 1-6 (all at the same facility) took 1 hour & 15 minutes each.  MRI #7 (at a different facility) took 2 full hours!!  Don't want to do that again!