[BDNF]

So I saw my doctor today and as someone here pointed out my CT scan came back completely normal.

I asked for an MRI and my doctor was not really keen on it saying it's expensive $450 but I insisted and got a referral for one, at least he wrote on it post concussion symptoms.

Anyway I always here of people getting them but I don't ever hear how it changes there treatment or prognosis, it's as though it's only for record keeping for research or whatever. My doctor said if anything shows up I could see a neurologist but what then?

[Mark in Idaho]

An MRI is a waste of money except in rare specific situations. $450 is not the cost of an MRI. More likely $1000 to $1200. Maybe a health plan contracted discount could get the price down to $450 to $600.

A DTI MRI can confirm an injury but will not change the treatment. A normal, garden variety MRI will not show anything.

Why did you ask for/demand and MRI ? What was your goal ?

People get them because doctors are often trying to appease the concerns of the patient and sometimes, just to cover their liability. They use them to rule out serious but rare conditions. It is rare that there is a valid diagnostic reason for an MRI. At least it is not like a high dose of radiation like a CT Scan.

I forget what your current symptoms are that are causing you the most trouble and give you reason for requesting an MRI . Can you tell us ?

[BDNF]

Apathy, lack of motivation, dizziness, headache although that's getting better. Nystagmus, mild stuttering, lack of concentration, mental fatigue, that's all I can think of off the top of my head, I try not to think about how I've changed.

[SuperElectric]

Occasionally a scan will show other anomalies, in my case my CT showed a small 12mm area of 'indeterminable mass' which turned out to be benign after further investigation. The neuro surgeon said that it wasn't uncommon for this to happen. It added to my anxiety at the time though!

[Mark in Idaho]

BDNF had already had a Normal CT Scan. His symptoms are not indicative of the need for further imaging. A DTI MRI would likely be worthwhile but just to confirm his symptoms. DTI MRI is very good at identifying injuries that cause cognitive dysfunctions. They do not help direct treatment, though.

[destey]

The GP I saw told me that a MRI or CT scan will show if there's bleeding in the brain, basically if you are going to die. Lesser damage will not show up, she said.

My concussion happened in 2011, and the headaches got so bad a few months ago (throwing up) that I went to see a head trauma specialist. She showed me the CT scan of my brain in 3d and where blood buildup would be (on the outside near the edge of the skull), and there was just a thin layer as should be. But they did find other things. So even though it didn't help diagnose my concussion, it incidentally found other things (as someone else also posted about above).

If its only $450 cost to you, I'd do it, that's a bargain IMO. Mine was $1200 cost to me through insurance in 2011 ($3800 total bill) and its gone up since. Although if I knew how worthless MRI/CT scans were to this condition, I wouldn't have had it done (though I would have missed out on the other things).

[AaronS]

My frontal lobe contusion could be plainly seen from the regular MRI that I had done. Based on the location of the injury, my doctors modified their advice for me. It was also a huge help in successfully receiving long-term disability. I would get an MRI if you can.

[Mark in Idaho]

Aaron, How soon after your injury was the MRI done ?

What were you doing to hit your head so hard on the door frame ?

BDNF was not suffering any serious symptoms and had already had a clear CT Scan so an MRI was extremely unlikely to show anything related to his minor symptoms.

For those suffering more severe symptoms, an MRI may show an injury.

MRI's are not as good at showing a bleed as a CT Scan. Plus, bleeds can be dangerous but many concussion bleeds are not life threatening at all. A bleed that is life threatening will manifest as an intense head ache and/or loss of consciousness, motor control, slurred speech, blown pupils/asymmetrical pupils, etc. Most small asymptomatic bleeds are difficult to image with 72 hours the optimum time for a CT Scan image.

Regarding cost of an MRI, I just got a quote of $780 for a simple shoulder MRI at Medicare rates and double that for an MRI with contrast. Head MRI's are much more complex. My head MRI's cost $1400 to $2800 (MRI/MRA).

Over the years, I have had 4 MRI's and a few CT Scans and a SPECT Scan. My last neuro was suspecting a possible specific problem so there was extra scrutiny done. He did not say but my research suggests he was looking for a Chiari Malformation. Mine showed some other abnormalities too but no CM or anything related to a concussion or my symptoms. The doc said it is not uncommon. As others said, these can be a cause of anxiety. People live long lives with these abnormalities.

Many docs request CT Scans and MRI's to exclude rare but dangerous bleeds. My CT's and 2 MRI's were done just for the doc's protection.

["Starr"]

I had a CT scan 6 months after my injury... nothing showed there.

Since I've had a continuous headache since my injury, almost 3.5 years ago now (Feb 2012) , at 2 years after my injury my rehab team ordered an MRI to make sure there wasn't an alternate cause for the pain.

MRI did not show an alternate cause for the pain, but I am one of the few that DID show damage from my injury.

The MRI results did sort of change my treatment, the physiatrist and neurologist after seeing the results, sort of gave up trying to fix me. They still provided care, but the care became less... aggressive, I guess is the right description.

Even now at almost 3.5 years after my injury I still see my physiatrist and neurologist a couple times a year, but since I'm no longer on any meds (we couldn't find anything I could tolerate that worked) its mostly just to touch base and see if there's been any improvements or changes.

I still see my neuro optometrist (prism glasses) and physiotherapist (to try to improve my balance and gait issues) regularly.

In my case, I was glad for the MRI, but also upset that it showed anything and the docs just felt that where I was at, was the best that they could do, given the visible damage... so a bit disheartening, as well.

Still have the constant head pain.

Starr

[Mark in Idaho]

"Starr"

Do you know what Tesla level your MRI was ? 1.5 is the usual. Some places now offer 3 Tesla but it takes 5 or 6 T or more to see the microscopic damage common to concussions.

What kind of damage did they find ?

btw, DTI MRI does not show damage. It shows the changes in fluid flow that result from an injury. It is used to differentiate physiological damage causes symptoms from psychological symptoms.