MRI w/contrast vs. MRI without

[comfortzone]

I have noticed many of you say that AN's cannot be seen without an MRI with contrast. I am starting to get a little concerned as they found mine from a regular MRI without contrast. I seem to have a lot of symptoms and am concerned that this "thing" might be bigger than I originally thought. I have been told it is 8mm, is there a chance if I get an MRI with contrast that it could show up even bigger? If anyone has any experience or thoughts on this please let me know. Thank you all for being here! I don't know what I would do without this resource.

[Mark]

You can see an AN on an MRI without using contrast. The contrast is used to confirm & better define and measure it. When I had my initial MRI the ENT ordered it without contrast and after 30 minutes the tech came out and said even though the doc hadn't ordered it, they were going to give me another scan with contrast. That created an Oh-oh" feeling in my mind and obviously they had picked up the AN on the initial scans and wanted to better visualize it with the contrast

Mark

[stein78]

The first part of my MRI was done without contrast, then they injected me with it for the last 20mins or so.  You can see it without the contrast, but it doesn't really stand out.  With the contrast, it could practically glow in the dark it's so bright.

[comfortzone]

OK - that's good news - I was getting a little worried there. Thanks for the replies!

[Derek]

Gadolinium is the widely used contrast dye for MRI imaging. However there is also an alternative available called Gadovist 1.0 (gadobutral) which apparently has twice the concentration of gadolinium. In consequence it requires a smaller injected volume and apparently provides an enhanced image quality. Worth checking it out with the radiologist next time you have an MRI scan so you can be fully aware of exactly what you are getting!

Regards

Derek

[butterflyhugzs]

Hi
I don't know if this will help but when i have been searching on the net about AN's I found this picture, you can see the AN with and without contrast and see it is the same size just more difined with contrast.
http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/projects/mgrey/pathology/brain/acoustic_neuroma/image2.shtml
I have all the symptoms plus fibromyalgia but they did not find anything on my MRI without contrast.
Can I ask how long your MRI scan lasted?
Abbie

I have noticed many of you say that AN's cannot be seen without an MRI with contrast. I am starting to get a little concerned as they found mine from a regular MRI without contrast. I seem to have a lot of symptoms and am concerned that this "thing" might be bigger than I originally thought. I have been told it is 8mm, is there a chance if I get an MRI with contrast that it could show up even bigger? If anyone has any experience or thoughts on this please let me know. Thank you all for being here! I don't know what I would do without this resource.

[Derek]

Hi Abbie...

In my case it usually takes about 30 minutes per each MRI session with the contrast dye introduced at the half-way stage which I believe is about average.

Regards

Derek

[butterflyhugzs]

Hi Derek I am still not totally happy with my 7 min MRI but apparently I am going to get to see the consultant so I can talk about my concerns. I know i will wait for ages but it will be good to hopefully be reassured.

Hi Abbie...

In my case it usually takes about 30 minutes per each MRI session with the contrast dye introduced at the half-way stage which I believe is about average.

Regards

Derek

[Derek]

Hi Abbie...

Glad to know that you will in fact be seeing a consultant (neuro or ENT?) in the, hopefully, near future. Ensure that you make the most of your consultation with the additional knowledge that you have acquired from your new friends on this forum and for your peace of mind insist that you have another MRI with contrast.

Best Regards

Derek

[comfortzone]

My first MRI was about 25 minutes - that was thwe one that they ordered before I was diagnosed with AN and they thought I had MS. That was when they found the AN and my second MRI was for a close up of that. That one was quicker, only about 10 minutes long but they said it was because they knew where they were looking and what they were looking for and it was a smaller area

[butterflyhugzs]

Thanks for your reply it has helped me a lot, I had 10 min MRI without contrast looking for AN, but they did not find anything. I Was not really happy with having only a 10 min MRI but feel a bit better after your post. I still have load of symptoms but now i have been told that I will get to talk someone from the dept to go through my worries. Can I ask where you are from? I am from UK so wondered if the short MRI is something the NHS does to save money?  Also did you have many symptoms? I had test for MS years ago now but have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS. thank you again Abbie

My first MRI was about 25 minutes - that was thwe one that they ordered before I was diagnosed with AN and they thought I had MS. That was when they found the AN and my second MRI was for a close up of that. That one was quicker, only about 10 minutes long but they said it was because they knew where they were looking and what they were looking for and it was a smaller area

[comfortzone]

Hi Abbie,

I am from Vancouver, Canada. I have found that the wait times here in between MRI's being ordered and done is about three months. Once I was diagnosed I had to wait about three months to see the specialists, a neurosurgeon and an ENT. To be honest the waiting is very hard, I initially went to the doctor a year ago because of the symptoms I was having and had no idea what could have been the cause. I have facial numbness, plugged ear, neck pain, dizziness, fatigue...fun hey? I am just over a week from my next appointment and am curious to see what happens next.

Keep reading and searching and try and be patient. Some days it's really hard but you are not alone! Even if no one is right there with you you can always come here and read a while and find someone who understands.


Corinne