MRI vs CT

[maleia]

In 2008, I was diagnosed with a right side AN (2mm).  Since that time,  a nerve stimulator has been implanted to help with another issue.  I cannot have an MRI with the nerve stimulator implant - I have not had an MRI scan since 2008.  Will a CT Scan with contrast detect whether or not the AN has grown?  I have had some noticeable hearing loss and balance issues. 

[Tumbleweed]

Dr. Chang (Stanford) told me years ago that CT scans are more accurate than MRI but harder for the eye to interpret, which is one reason why MRI is used for watch-and-wait analysis of tumor progression. So, my take is that a CT scan would show whether your AN has grown, but it might take some sort of ancillary hardware or software to analyze the scan accurately. (This is a guess on my part, based on the fact that CT scans are used to develop computerized CK treatment programs for AN.) Best to ask your doctor about this.

CT scans subject your brain to a high amount of unfocused radiation (not like CK or GK, which focus the radiation solely on the tumor to avoid collateral damage). It's best to get one only when necessary. But it sounds like you may not have any other options.

Best wishes,
TW