Doc wants to do an MRI without contrast.....
 

New nuerologist diagnosed concussion. Been having jaw issues. (was hit above the ear -area is painful. Like crushed nerves or fluid or something)

My doc wants to do an MRI without contrast. Will this show...anything?

I'd get checked by a head and neck orthopedist, sports orthopedist, or ENT. (ear nose & throat)

Or maybe a Physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist)

An MRI will not see minor nerve bruising.

btw, Nerve bruising can be painful for a long time from a very mild injury. The nerves in the face and scalp are easily bruised and take weeks to heal, sometime even months.

Question for you. If an MRI can show some bruising, does that change your treatment?

Many times, expensive imaging is done to placate the patient when there is nothing that will change after the imaging is done.

You are less than a week from the bump, what is the hurry? Ice it and let it try to heal.

Are you doing any self-care things.
Ice, heat, massage, etc?

Question for you - If an MRI showed skull fracture or broken jaw - would that not change treatment?

X ray usually can show those things, much less cost..

MRI and CT scans of the head will show a concussion and any possible fractures. I have had several done over the years from having a concussion in a MVA as a teenager and also adult nd also brain surgery from when I was a child.

Best wishes,

No, CT Scans and MRIs will not show a concussion. A DTI MRI or SWAN MRI will show some signs of the stress of a concussion.

An fMRI can show signs that would be common to a concussion if done by a highly trained fMRI practitioner. The fMRI will not diagnose a concussion.

Only a high Tesla MRI can show any other evidence of a concussion but high Tesla MRIs are not used except for research.

A regular MRI or CT Scan will show a contusion/brain bruise or bleed. That is more than a concussion. The CT Scan will show a fracture.

A neuro is not looking for a skull fracture when the jaw is in pain.

A bruised jaw, TMJ, and nerve tissue can be very painful for a long time. There is no treatment for them other than ice and reduced chewing.