MRI without contrast

[butterflyhugzs]

I wonder if you could help me, I found out today that the reason I have been referred for MRI is to see if I have acoustic neuroma. They are not going to use contrast, has anyone had MRI without contrast and got accurate diagnosis. Will acoustic neuroma show up on a MRI without contrast?
Thank you for your help

[Static]

I can't imagane why they would do such an expensive test and not use contrast while you are already there.  There a few different kinds of contrast they can use if you are allergic to things.  Call your doctor and ask him about it, maybe he just forgot it.

[AN?]

you must insist on contrast. Thats the only way to be sure!

[matti]

I would insist that they use contrast. It was always my understanding that an AN will present itself only when contrast is used. It could be that your doctor forgot to write in on the order, but I would definetly call him.

Take care,
Cheryl

[Sue]

I totally agree with everyone else. Ask the doctor if you should have contrast.  It would be a crime if you had to do it a second time...MRI's ain't cheap!! 

[tony]

Yes - they usually do the contrast (injection) about halfway through
make sure you dont get my angel from last time
- the dumbell missed the vain with the needle
"sorry" he says - that might hurt a bit
and you know - he was right !
It FFF #[=\@£ HURT !
But then, he should know......he had done it before hadnt he ()
Best Regards
Tony

[butterflyhugzs]

I am in the Uk and I think it must be to do with finances or something. they have said that they are looking for AN but I am concerned that they won't be able to see it if they don't use contrast.

[ppearl214]

I am in the Uk and I think it must be to do with finances or something. they have said that they are looking for AN but I am concerned that they won't be able to see it if they don't use contrast.

demand the contrast! If your MRI order notes that scan is being performed for "suspicion of acoustic neuroma", you ask, even before you put on the gown before the scan, the technician about the dr's order to use contrast.  Another way to ensure the use of contrast, they will ask you if you have ever had contract and any reaction to contrast in the past.  (trust me, other than Tony's "angel", you don't even feel the contrast in you).   Make sure (please!) they give you the contrast!

Hang in there!  You will get the answers you seek..

Phyl

[ellenvig]

I had most of my scan done without contrast.  I am breastfeeding and they didn't want to use it at first.  After they saw the AN without the contrast (yes, it is very visible as a shadowy type presence, but not glowing), they gave me the contrast to really show it well.

Ellen

[Battyp]

I'd insist on contrast...mine wasn't as fvisible without the contrast.  That way you don't have to repeat the test and delay possible treatment.

[Derek]

Hi again 'butterflyhugzs' from your pal in the UK!..

Contrast is essential in the overall effective process of correctly diagnosing whether or not you have an AN re size and location etc.

I had my initial consultation with Mr Rowe at the GK Centre in Sheffield yesterday and when we viewed all four of my MRI images between 2002 and 2006 it was apparent that the first two were done without contrast which resulted in an element of guesswork by the radiologist which is what you need to avoid!

Thought you might be interested to know that my neuroradiology reports indicated that no growth had occurred over the last three years whereas in fact Mr Rowe was able to indicate to me by reference to all four MRI images that there had been a degree of enlargement and using a calliper he convinced me that the actual size of my AN was 2 x 1.2cm which he said was a mid-range 3 on the 1 to 5 scale of how serious my AN was re now beginning to impact upon the brain stem.

If you are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with one of these 'nasties' then I can certainly recommend that you put Mr Rowe at the top of your list for a consultation. I found him to be an absolute gentleman, softly spoken, but very thorough and highly professional and a good 'listener'. He is also a practicing neurosurgeon and was able to provide a balanced opinion re microsurgery v GK albeit he does specialise in GK.

After much anxious deliberation over the last few months re treatment options I am now aware that 'watch and wait' is no longer viable and I am thankful that I have a choice between microsurgery and GK. The former is a risk that I can avoid and I am therefore comfortable with my ultimate choice of undertaking GK treatment later this year.

Best Regards

Derek

[butterflyhugzs]

Hello again and thank you everyone for your posts, My MRI has been brought forward and I am going to be having it 8th August I was initially was told December, so I am pleased . They have not booked with contrast and when my concerns were put to the radiographer I was told that they will be able to see and they would only use contrast to highlight what they can see. So I will just have to hope if I do have AN they will be able to find it. I have lots of symptoms including headaches most days often on waking, and the tinnitus left side is driving me crazy it’s so loud.
Anyway just wanted to thank you again for your advice and support and I will let you know how I get on.

[butterflyhugzs]

Hi Derek
Thank you for your response. Sorry to hear that you need to have treatment now but you seem to have found a good consultant, Thank you for all the information you provided. You said you recommend Mr Rowe, are you allowed to choose a consultant? Is he private? Can I ask how you found out you had an AN? Did you have many symptoms?
Are you enjoying the heat wave? My poor daughter dislocated her knee just over a week ago and has to have her leg strapped up for 24 hours a day for 6 weeks poor thing she is only 17.

Hi again 'butterflyhugzs' from your pal in the UK!..

Contrast is essential in the overall effective process of correctly diagnosing whether or not you have an AN re size and location etc.

I had my initial consultation with Mr Rowe at the GK Centre in Sheffield yesterday and when we viewed all four of my MRI images between 2002 and 2006 it was apparent that the first two were done without contrast which resulted in an element of guesswork by the radiologist which is what you need to avoid!

Thought you might be interested to know that my neuroradiology reports indicated that no growth had occurred over the last three years whereas in fact Mr Rowe was able to indicate to me by reference to all four MRI images that there had been a degree of enlargement and using a calliper he convinced me that the actual size of my AN was 2 x 1.2cm which he said was a mid-range 3 on the 1 to 5 scale of how serious my AN was re now beginning to impact upon the brain stem.

If you are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with one of these 'nasties' then I can certainly recommend that you put Mr Rowe at the top of your list for a consultation. I found him to be an absolute gentleman, softly spoken, but very thorough and highly professional and a good 'listener'. He is also a practicing neurosurgeon and was able to provide a balanced opinion re microsurgery v GK albeit he does specialise in GK.

After much anxious deliberation over the last few months re treatment options I am now aware that 'watch and wait' is no longer viable and I am thankful that I have a choice between microsurgery and GK. The former is a risk that I can avoid and I am therefore comfortable with my ultimate choice of undertaking GK treatment later this year.

Best Regards

Derek

[Derek]

Hi again 'B'....

In my case (and I will try to keep this brief) in December 2000 whilst in London on business I noticed that when walking I occasionally had a tendency to lurch sideways re off-balance. This came and went over the ensuing months and in Feb 2002 I had difficulty in hearing in my right ear when using the phone.

I did have a history of excessive ear wax and have them syringed every 3 or 4 years. I had them syringed next month (March) and the right ear did not clear. I consulted my GP who said my impaired hearing was down to 'old age'...I was 58!

I have medical insurance and requested to be referred to an ENT consultant ASAP. I had an MRI scan within a few days and the same month I was diagnosed with the right-side AN.

The hearing in my right ear diminished to zero over the next few months which is a permanent loss and my only other symptom is very mild tinnitus on the affected side. They remain my only symptoms and having retired from a high profile occupation in 2004 those symptoms cause me no problems whatsoever. The balance problem actually rectified itself the left side balance nerve having apparently compensated.

I have had annual MRI scans over the last 4 years the corresponding neuroradiology reports having apparently indicated that no enlargement of the tumour had occurred.

That was the situation until my recent MRI scan in April of this year when my ENT consultant and my neurosurgeon (not Mr Rowe) indicated that the tumour had began to enlarge.

The size of my AN (2 x 1.2 x 1.6cm) fortunately enables me to have a choice of treatment and I will opt for Gamma Knife (GK) rather than microsurgery re the obvous reduced risk aspect albeit I am aware of the risks relevant to GK.

I wanted a second opinion on the apparent enlargement of my AN and requested copies of my MRI scan images and corresponding radiology reports. When I read them I was amazed to see that the most recent scan in April actually indicated that my tumour had REDUCED when compared to the previous scan in late 2004! In fact none of the reports gave any indication of an increase in size? I found this to be very confusing.

There are two main GK treatment centres at London and Sheffield and I therefore requested my neurosurgeon to refer me to the GK Centre at Sheffield and was recommended to see Mr Rowe who I have already described to you in my previous post. He compared all four of my MRI images side by side on the light-box and was able to show me that my AN had actually slowly increased over the past THREE years by approx 3mm since original diagnosis. Needless to say I have lost all confidence in my original ENT consultant and neurosurgeon who should have been able to detect the process of enlargement at an earlier stage i.e. from the second MRI scan thereon. I also became acutely aware from Mr Rowe that the content of neuroradiology reports cannot be totally relied upon!

Mr Rowe has indicated that treatment would be advisable within 3 years and I may wait until my next scheduled scan next April to be absolutely satisfied that enlargement is still in process when I will then go ahead with the GK procedure. You never know, being an optimist, I might be lucky and find that enlargement has not continued when I would then continue with the 'wait and watch'! By the way Mr Rowe also undertakes GK treatment for National Health Service patients.

You are so right about the heatwave....can't wait for some good old rainy and chilly British summer weather when I can get my anorak on!

 I do hope your daughter makes a swift recovery from her knee injury and very best of luck with your MRI scan next month.

Very Best Wishes

Derek