Diagnosing: MRI's
 

Hi everyone,

Can someone please tell me what's the story with using contrast in MRI's?

My first ever MRi in May was clear. They didn't use contrast. I'm due for another one in November.
Should contrast have been used in the 1st MRI?
Also, can the nuero request the slices to be thinner? I think I read somewhere that they can request 3mm instead of standard 5mm?

Thanks!
Michelle

Welcome, Freesia. I don't know anything about requesting the slices to be thinner, but hopefully someone else will. The contrast is used to make lesions, or any abnormalities, appear brighter and easier to see. My brain MRIs have always been done with and without contrast, but I had no contrast when I had my spine imaged. I don't see why you couldn't request your next MRI to be done with & without contrast. They'll image you first without, pull you out, and inject you with the contrast material before the next scan. Good luck to you!

They use the gad to see if there are any active lesions, which are seen either way ... with or without gad. The active one's just show up brighter to indicate active inflammation.

It is explained better by Rex, who is a radiologist or technologist (sorry Rex) in the following thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread86519.html

Gad is not necessary though.

Cherie