ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: kathy g on July 30, 2009, 12:49:47 am

Title: MRI facility difference?
Post by: kathy g on July 30, 2009, 12:49:47 am

I am going to have my 3 month post Gamma Knife MRI in a few weeks and wonder if I should go to the same facility that I had the last MRI.  Does it make a difference?

Thanks, Kathy
AN 3 cm
GK May 2009

Title: Re: MRI facility difference?
Post by: ppearl214 on July 30, 2009, 05:40:47 am

Hi Kathy

If you can have it done at the same facility, that would be terrific.  That way, the same technology (ie: MRI Machine, etc) and "slices" during the scans of the MRI's from before (to be used as comparison) should give a better idea of how the brain booger is doing. I have all of mine done at the same location (for the past 3+ yrs) so they can backtrack to prior films to do comparison. 

Plus, I now get terrific flirting options with Tom, who does my head MRI's... and our spouses even know :)

Good luck with your MRI and please keep us posted!
Phyl

Title: Re: MRI facility difference?
Post by: mk on July 30, 2009, 07:30:42 am

Kathy,

I would say definitely have it on the same machine, because the last thing you need right now is ambiguities. This is the most critical time frame for swelling, so you need to be able to compare the images before and after.
At 3 months the best result you can hope for is no swelling. Don't be disappointed if you don't see any signs of necrosis, this comes later.

By the way, how are you feeling? Again, at this point it is unlikely to have improvement of your existing symptoms, but the best outcome is no new symptoms.

Good luck with your MRI and let us know how it goes.

Marianna

Title: Re: MRI facility difference?
Post by: kathy g on July 30, 2009, 09:18:56 am

Thanks so much.  I know this MRI is critical.  I do feel better, but still dry mouth and numb tongue on one side. 

Best, Kathy

Title: Re: MRI facility difference?
Post by: CHD63 on July 30, 2009, 08:07:46 pm

Kathy .....

Although I am not a GK patient, the same advice applies to all of us ...... having MRIs at the same facility certainly lessens the chance of skewed or different interpretations on regression/growth.  I have had all of mine at the same place.

Clarice

Title: Re: MRI facility difference?
Post by: leapyrtwins on July 31, 2009, 06:36:01 am

Same facility isn't mandatory, but it's recommended.  Works best for comparison purposes.

Jan