I am reading about MRI's with contrast, without contrast, three d, and slice images.
Mine is just an MRI without contrast. Do I need to ask about a certain kind?
I am going to go ahead and let the doc order mine today. Its been ten days, and I still feel odd.
MRI is generally to Rule out MS and Brain tumor -- to rule out things that are not compressions - because TN compressions rarely show up on MRI -- but you want the basic one to rule those other things out!
Specialty MRIs Sometimes Show Compressions ---- the best doctors and surgeons will have to diagnose you by patient symptom stories....and things that trigger the pain.....
So yes get regular one - then come here and tell us what they found.
.....but don't pay for extra special one unless warranted -- Is my personal opinion from reading on here for 2 years.
Thanks, will do. Kind of relieved just to be getting one. Even if it does not show anything, its something less to worry about.
On this one, I need to differ politely with Dancer. Ultimately we all vote our own experience, and mine has been different from hers.
Having read the medical literature on face pain for nearly 18 years, I believe there is a gold standard for high-resolution imaging: FIESTA MRI with special magnet weightings for emphasis of the brain stem region, performed both with and without contrast agent and with post-procedure 3-D reconstruction. While more expensive than conventional MRI, this procedure can generate resolution of features down to 0.66 mm (sub-millimeter). It has a substantially better chance of showing nerve compressions than less precise procedures. Even here, however, NO MRI procedure can positively eliminate vascular nerve compressions. I've read case reports where the blood vessel actually grew through the nerve and along its extent (very rare but still it happens). And I read many reports that indicate vascular compressions were found during the exploratory phase of MVD surgery, which did not appear in imagery.
Some neurosurgeons use a negative MRI finding to justify not doing surgery in cases of mixed Type I and Type II TN pain. I'm not sure that's the best practice, but it's common. The strongest indicators for surgery are the occurrence of sharp, stabbing electric shock pain at any point in the development of your symptoms, and a positive response to anti-convulsive medications. MRI is a tie breaker sometimes. And it's a definite help in eliminating things that aren't vascular compressions but may still require treatment: AVM, calcium deposits, Acoustic Neuroma, benign cysts, benign slow-growing tumor, etc.
Go in Peace and Power
Red Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
Ok got the new order for my MRI and after the second doc saw me, he does want both with and without contrast now. Kind of glad of that.