Went for an MRI today for a head and IAM scan. I asked the first nurse if it was with contrast, she said yes because it is IAMs. I told her I am very concerned about contrast and asked what type it is, she told me, I said at least it is the safest type (Dotarem) but I am still a bit concerned. She went away and another nurse came back and said she hears I don't want contrast, I said no it is fine if required, I was just concerned after everything I read online. So I then signed the contrast allowance form. She said they won't be using contrast for this one unless something is seen, but she did tell me the doctor had listed for it to be contrast, but she said they are going to follow protocol and not use it. I said would this be the case if I didn't raise my concerns, as the first nurse said it was with contrast, she said yes, it would be done without contrast anyway whether or not I had said anything. So that left me confused given the first nurse told me it is with.
So now, I am worried my stupid comments of concern and anxiety may have stopped me having the contrast and they just pretended it didn't need it to make me feel better. Given I have been unwell for 2 years, would a AN or other inner ear anomaly likely show up on a normal MRI after all this time ? It is only a 1.5T scanner. I am kicking myself now, but reading all those 2016 reports of GAD staying in the brain and bones with even normal renal function freaked me out, as the reports say they don't have enough research yet to know it effects people long term or not. So is it common that a radiologist will change the need for contrast even if a ENT says to have it with ? They just said they read over the notes and decided it was not needed, unless something was seen that needs closer inspection.
I just hope they weren't humouring me. So purely curious how much worse an MRI will be without contrast for IAMs and whether specialist notes are often changed by radiologists ? Thanks all.
