contrast MRI and CSF examination
 

I would need a quick advice about these two examinations, as I could do them in the next days.

What are both for? What would they show?

The doctor will stick a needle in the area of the spine to get some CSF and analize it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=contrast+MRI&gws_rd=ssl
https://www.google.com/search?q=CSF+...ion&gws_rd=ssl


They are probably checking for other conditions that might be causing your symptoms...

Other forums here have details on both procedures if you want more than the links provide.
use the search tool to find those.. http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

The CSF analysis is probably to find something different.

But what I do not understand is the MRI. It would be my 4th one. I know what it does, basically it puts color to the blood vessels.

I used the search function but still don't see the benefit of a contrast MRI compared to a normal one when it comes to PCS. Any further advice? I have to decide today.

Might be best to ask the dr what he is checking for..
He might have something specific in mind.. we would be just guessing...

My doctor asked for an MRI with and without contrast to rule out any sort of structural damage. He also told me that MRIs are very accurate in spotting a CSF leak.

I don't think that your doctor is right here. A structural damage would not show in a standard MRI with and without contrast. The device is by far not detailed enough to show everything.

A normal 1.5 Tesla MRI will not show the finest damage from a concussion but it can show larger issues. With the prevalence of 3 T MRI's and above, more detail is available. When they combine the information from a non-contrast and with contrast MRI, they can image things that are not imageable otherwise.

A normal MRI differentiates tissue by its water content. The contrast material must have a different magnetic resonance from water.

I had 2 MRIs with a Tesla 3 without contrast. I could do now one in a T1.5 with contrast.

So would combining these two show promising results?

They need to do the with contrast and without contrast at the same time so each slice is identically located.