MRI Contrast Die?

[Echo]

I had my 6 month post Gamma Knife MRI last night at 11 p.m.  Are post treatment MRI's usually done with or without the contrast die?  I asked when I arrived if I would be having the die and they said it had not been requested.  I asked them to check with the radiologist and see if it was required when doing a post Gamma Knife follow up and when they came back to me, I got the same answer "it wasn't requested".   I won't be seeing my neurosurgeon for a few weeks as he is away on vacation, so I'm just wondering if I should have had the die or not?  Hope this wasn't an oversite and I have to have it done again!   

Cathie

[chloes mema]

My first post CK MRI script was written to be without contrast.  Neurotologist said since they knew where it was and what size it was they didn't need the contrast.  Plus he said it cost too much.  (Excuse me, who's paying for this anyway?)

So I went around him, had my oncologist write me another script with contrast; made me a happy camper.   

This year's MRI was without contrast but since I had a choking episode during the MRI they had to retake at least one set over. 

Karen

[Nank]

my prescription, that I am ignoring, says GAD which I believe is the term for the contrast.

I can't believe you had one done at 11:00 pm!  They are open that late?

Hope you get good results!

[Echo]

The two large hospitals I deal with in Toronto run their MRI's 24/7.  They seem to book their daytime appointments for those patients in hospital, the elderly or perhaps those who are disabled and of course emergency cases.  The rest of us get the late night appointments from what I can figure out.  All three of my last MRI's have been anywhere between 10 p.m. and midnight.  I turned down the one they wanted to book at 5 a.m.!! 

Cost for the die may be part of the issue, I don't know.  The radiologist I called today said there is no standard protocol for using the contrast die - it depends on the Dr. and whether they want it used or not depending on the particular tumor.  I'll see what my Neurosurgeon has to say when we review the results.  Keeping my fingers crossed I don't have to have the MRI redone.  Just seems strange to me when they have used the die on the last two MRI's and not for this one - especially as it is the first one post Gamma.

Cathie.
 

[TJ]

Echo

I think standard practice is to do the MRI without the contrast, and then put the contrast in and take the pictures again.  That allows them to see the AN much easier.

TJ

[Bonnie B.]

All of my post GK MRIs have been with and without contrast.  I go next week for my two year post GK MRI with and without contrast.

[robinb]

Hi Cathie-

My MRI's have been ordered with and without contrast, at the same MRI. I had pre diagnosis, at CK and 6 mos. As you know, I had some side effects. However, since feeling good at one year doc would not order MRI as "GAD" which is the dye, is not good for you. They said MRI without dye is pointless. However I would think that could vary depending on the tumor.

Regardless, I hope you get some good news and are feeling terrific.

[arizonajack]

MRI without dye is pointless.

Ditto.

All of my MRIs have been done with contrast.

I had my second post GK MRI this morning. Got 13 sets of images. The first 10 were without the contrast and they may mean something to a radiologist but I couldn't see the AN. The last three (with contrast) showed the AN clearly so that even I could measure it.

See the results at my GK story at:

http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

[Nannybee]

All of my MRIs pre and post treatment have been with and without contrast.

[Echo]

Thanks everyone for the responses.  I'm still not convinced the lack of contrast was not an over site.  Not sure how they can accurately compare what's going on now to the last MRI that was done a week before Gamma with the die. The main reason I'm concerned about this is because I suspect some swelling based on the change in my symptoms.  The majority of my AN is within the CPA so it has room to expand and I want to know what's really going on.

I'll update this thread once I review everything with the neurosurgeon which will not be until April.

Hey Jack!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Impressive weight loss. 

Cathie.

[Alison]

Hi,
my post MRI was done without contrast, it showed swelling of around 3mm. The neurosurgeon said the MRIs are high res now and contrast is not needed. My first MRI that picked it up was also without contrast. The only one with contrast was the one a week before radiosurgery for use with the linac machine. I'm in the UK though.

There is always a debate on here about contrast! It made me feel sick for a few days after and as it is a heavy metal I prefer to avoid it if possible.

Alison x

[Bonnie B.]

I just got the results of my 2 year post Gamma Knife MRI.  It showed no shrinkage but NO growth.  I will take that.

[Echo]

Congratulations Bonnie, that's good news.  Did you see, or did the Neurosurgeon mention if there were many dark spots (necrosis)? 

Cathie

[rodneyd]

The contrast dye is a Gadolinium solution.  It really helps with reading the MRI, but it is also bad for the kidney's, so they asked some questions about my kidney health before they administered it.  I have had two MRI's using it and did not experience any side effects, but reaction to any drug is a personal thing. 

[arizonajack]

The contrast dye is a Gadolinium solution.  It really helps with reading the MRI, but it is also bad for the kidney's, so they asked some questions about my kidney health before they administered it.  I have had two MRI's using it and did not experience any side effects, but reaction to any drug is a personal thing.

All of my MRIs have been with contrast and have been preceded by lab work to make sure my kidneys were functioning properly. They were fine and I just had to drink a lot of water to flush out the dye afterward. No side effects.