Are there different resolution MRI scans available?

[Stand]

What would the benefit be of with and without?  Just wondering.

[iluuvpups]

Denise, I made my appointment at U. of Michigan with the T3 machine.  --Carol Ann

[Tumbleweed]

The biggest reason why I go to Stanford for my followup tests, even though it's out-of-state for me, is because their MRI images/equipment is superior to what was available to me in my own state. Even I could immediately see the difference. My hypoglossal tumor, which is small, was initially overlooked because of fuzzy imagery in my MRIs taken near where I live. After the first MRI was taken at Stanford (on superior equipment), the radiologist noticed the tumor.

Even within the Stanford family of facilities, differences exist. Dr. Chang told me that the off-campus facility on Sherman Avenue that Stanford uses for imaging has the latest technology and offers superior imaging to that used at the imaging center in the Blake Wilbur building on-campus. Still, the Blake Wilbur MRIs were clearly (no pun intended) good enough to show my hypoglossal tumor.

Best wishes,
TW

[mk]

What would the benefit be of with and without?  Just wondering.

The usual sequence is a series of images without contrast first, and with contrast at the end. Contrast is needed to detect small tumors, which might otherwise go unnoticed. It can show features like necrosis for example after radiation treatment. The edges of the tumor also appear sharper.
On the other hand nerves and CSF flow appear better in the non-contrast images.


Marianna

[leapyrtwins]

Slightly off topic here (sorry Phyl  ) but wanted to note that post op my doc always orders my MRIs with fat suppression.

I have fat in my head from my abdomenal graft.

Jan