Author Topic: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?  (Read 4206 times)

Blizzarduk

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Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« on: September 12, 2017, 02:30:40 pm »
Went for an MRI today for a head and IAM scan. I asked the first nurse if it was with contrast, she said yes because it is IAMs. I told her I am very concerned about contrast and asked what type it is, she told me, I said at least it is the safest type (Dotarem) but I am still a bit concerned. She went away and another nurse came back and said she hears I don't want contrast, I said no it is fine if required, I was just concerned after everything I read online. So I then signed the contrast allowance form. She said they won't be using contrast for this one unless something is seen, but she did tell me the doctor had listed for it to be contrast, but she said they are going to follow protocol and not use it. I said would this be the case if I didn't raise my concerns, as the first nurse said it was with contrast, she said yes, it would be done without contrast anyway whether or not I had said anything. So that left me confused given the first nurse told me it is with.

So now, I am worried my stupid comments of concern and anxiety may have stopped me having the contrast and they just pretended it didn't need it to make me feel better. Given I have been unwell for 2 years, would a AN or other inner ear anomaly likely show up on a normal MRI after all this time ? It is only a 1.5T scanner. I am kicking myself now, but reading all those 2016 reports of GAD staying in the brain and bones with even normal renal function freaked me out, as the reports say they don't have enough research yet to know it effects people long term or not. So is it common that a radiologist will change the need for contrast even if a ENT says to have it with ? They just said they read over the notes and decided it was not needed, unless something was seen that needs closer inspection.

I just hope they weren't humouring me. So purely curious how much worse an MRI will be without contrast for IAMs and whether specialist notes are often changed by radiologists ? Thanks all.  :)

ANSydney

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2017, 05:13:09 pm »
I had my first MRI (diagnostic one year ago) and second MRI (follow up 6 months ago) with gadolinium contrast agent. My last MRI done a couple of weeks ago was without gadolinium contrast agent. I still get enough detail to measure is and the radiologist must have also since he gave a measurement.

My personal algorithm (now) is to get the first MRI with gad and any follow up MRI without gad. All three of my MRI scans have been done at the same place with a 1.5T machine.

Blizzarduk

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2017, 07:58:31 pm »
Thanks. I wish I knew whether me voicing my concerns caused them to change their mind on using GAD, as the ENT did have me down for contrast and the first nurse did say it was with GAD. But then they said they would have done it without anyway unless something was seen, but not sure how they could see it first without the dye. Confusing.

What size is your AN by the way ? I don't seem to have hearing loss, is that always associated with AN ? I do have vertigo and tinnitus though.

ANSydney

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2017, 05:25:37 pm »
Blizzarduk,

I would suggest monitoring your symptoms and having a follow up MRI with contrast in 6 months time. These are usually slow growing tumors so 6 months is unlikely to change anything. If something is found in 6 months, you will know the location and can look back at the original MRI. If nothing is found you need to look for what else may cause your symptoms. You can use the intervening 6 months to research your symptoms and possible causes and talking to different doctors.

Any follow-up MRIs except the next can be done with gadolinium contrast agent. It's what I'm now doing.

You can read my story at http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=23197.msg979775443#msg979775443 .

keithmac

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2017, 12:30:42 pm »
Thanks. I wish I knew whether me voicing my concerns caused them to change their mind on using GAD, as the ENT did have me down for contrast and the first nurse did say it was with GAD. But then they said they would have done it without anyway unless something was seen, but not sure how they could see it first without the dye. Confusing.

What size is your AN by the way ? I don't seem to have hearing loss, is that always associated with AN ? I do have vertigo and tinnitus though.

re the question about hearing loss in the final sentence

I'm questioning elsewhere information in a brochure that says symptoms almost always include SSD - not hearing impairment but SSD.  Is that the case? 

 Maybe I'm a pedant but information should be as accurate as possible and properly presented.

JLR

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2017, 12:45:09 pm »
I have had soooo many MRIs all with contrast. You just have to drink 8-10 glasses of water to make sure your kidneys are clear. I've had no long lasting problem that I know of. If your doctor required the contrast I would do it. Good luck. 

judyl

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2017, 07:17:51 pm »
I had my first MRI without contrast and it showed a mass and gave measurements but there was no mention of AN. In my follow up MRI, with/without contrast, I was required to first have a BUN and creatinine blood test done for kidney function. Gadavist was the brand used which is supposed to be lower risk than Magnevist, and no one told me to drink extra to flush out my kidneys. I'm personally more concerned about it accumulating in the brain but this seemed to be the only way to determine the type of mass.   

You can find a list of the gadolinium contrast agents agents here. http://mriquestions.com/so-many-gd-agents.html
11/2/17 MRI w/o contrast for positional vertigo-1.3 cm mass in left IAC
11/8/17 MRI with contrast - AN 1.4 cm x .5 cm x .4 cm
5/23/18 MRI w/o contrast 1.4 cm x 0.6 cm x 0.5 cm.
11/2018 and 11/2019 MRIs stable
6/2021 and 8/2021 MRI AN 1.2 cm x .5 x .5 and new pituitary microadenoma

Jasminta

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2017, 02:48:07 am »
 I have a small 6x4mm AN and have only had MRI without contrast, AN is clearly seen in my MRI but I have heard others say that theirs didn't. Sounds like you had a shocking experience, there is nothing worse than being left with questions and doubts. Hopefully your next MRI will be done with contrast to put your mind at ease  :)

ANSydney

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Re: Can a AN be found via non-contrast MRI with 2 year symptoms ?
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2017, 04:22:47 pm »
My algorithm is to have your first MRI with contrast and then switch to MRI without contrast, to determine growth rate, from then on.