LymeNet Flash: Why do I need IV Contrast with MRI???

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Why do I need IV Contrast with MRI???

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Topic: Why do I need IV Contrast with MRI???

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Hey gang!! Finally back from Texas. Glad to be among you again!!!

I have to have an MRI of the abdomen tomorrow to check the status of my bile duct.

Anybody know why I have to have the MRI with contrast?

What will the contrast show that the plain MRI wouldn't show?

Hope someone knows!!!! [guesses welcomed!] [Razz]

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered

posted

It makes a better picture and is easier to read for the radiologist.

- Stated from my friend who is a radiologist [Wink]

IP: Logged |

tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276

posted

Welcome back Lymetutu,

Sadly before my lyme diagnosis, I was having a lot of various scans and a high percent of them were "with contrast".

From what I could understand, it tends to stick to the things they are looking for and makes them stand out more.

Not always a fun test, but it's better than doing it over and over and them not finding what they are looking for. Good luck and keep us posted.

Cathy

--------------------
"To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha

Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006 | IP: Logged |

bettyg
Unregistered

posted

tutu,

echostef reads these things...she answered on a heart problem last night...

welcome back! glad to have extra help again on llmds! [Smile]

IP: Logged |

cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165

posted

rather the IV then that barium junk they make you drink for a CT of the abdomen.

I think the IV is to highlight things better. Ive only had the IV when having MRI of the brain.

Welcome back!

--------------------
"Say it straight simple and with a smile."

"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet,
But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."

-Schopenhauer

pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg

Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Thanks Byron, Betty, Cathy and Michele!

Yeah, I already had the CT with barium...yucko!!!

Had another CT with contrast and plain MRI. My GI dr wants a special radiologist to do this one.... also will be done at a different hospital than before.

So I hope this one shows what is really going on. Could be that I've passed the stone. We'll see!

Thanks again! [Smile]

Betty... I'll be back in Seeking more often now! Anyone wanting to help out over there is VERY welcome!!!!

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707

posted

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test done with a large machine that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the belly. In many cases MRI gives information about structures in the body that cannot be seen as well with an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan.

For an MRI test, you are placed inside the magnet so that your belly is inside the strong magnetic field. MRI can find changes in the structure of organs or other tissues. It also can find tissue damage or disease, such as infection or a tumor. Pictures from an MRI scan are digital images that can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. The images also can be reviewed remotely, such as in a clinic or an operating room. Photographs or films of selected pictures can also be made.

In some cases, a contrast material may be used during the MRI scan to show certain structures more clearly in the pictures. The contrast material may be used to check blood flow, find some types of tumors, and show areas of inflammation or infection.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-of-the-abdomen

Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged |

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