MRI not the gold standard

[Texas Proud]

I have been reading this thread and just kinda taking things in...


But it downed on me... the thread title is slightly wrong IMO... an MRI is the 'gold standard' since there is nothing better that I know of... it might not be to a point where you can see every detail etc., but I do not know what is except for cutting someone open...

[LOL!]

@TexasProud, yes, I agree with you. Although this was my 6th full-anesthesia orthopedic surgery (I'm an active guy) in my life, it was my first MRI experience.

The experiences of responders have all been interesting. I apologize to RunningBum for my opioid-induced whining.

And thanks for the well wishes everyone. I am sure I will recover well. I always have.

[RunningBum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOL! The experiences of responders have all been interesting. I apologize to RunningBum for my opioid-induced whining.

Ha! Didn't think about the fact that you may still be on painkillers! Best of luck with the recovery, and good for you for staying active. So far just one such surgery for me. Wish I had video of the ski wreck, I'm told it was awesome, about a 320 degree backflip on skis. 360 would've been a lot better...

[oldphd]

I'm not an MD, but my PhD dissertation was related to MRI (more about the machinery and ancillary equipment). In the course of that, I needed to learn the basics of how they work. Just a few comments here.

MRI is able to image soft tissue in ways that other procedures simply can't.

There are different coils and many imaging protocols, and they are selected based on what is being looked for. IOW, you have to have an idea of what you're looking for when planning the MRI. An imaging protocol used for detecting minute breast cancer is different than one looking for a torn ligament is different than one looking at brain function. Aside from scanning protocols another variable to add is contrast. LOTS of variables!!!

This may be a poor analogy, but I'll try for something simple. You broke your ankle and went for an Xray, but they took an Xray of your wrist and said you were fine. But you DID break your ankle and now arrive at the conclusion that X-rays are worthless.

The scanning sequence selection and subsequent reading of the results is highly specialized. A good operator and radiologist can make a difference.

One last thought on the noise generated. This is a function of the static field strength and imaging protocol. Lots of variables again. One person may experience something not too loud, while another experiences something way louder. Or one is continuous and another has an on/off trait. Different people may have vastly different experiences while undergoing imaging.

[Rianne]

I totally believe your expertise, but if I believed the MRI report after my BC dx (it was at Cardinal Bernadine Cancer Center, Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL), I would have lost my marbles. For some reason, that report just seemed impossible to me. My BC surgeon did the CT and bone scans and none of the report was accurate. Maybe the radiologist read the report wrong or read some else results. To say the cancer had likely metastasized to my sternum and liver? I actually had a 1 mm lesion in my breast with DCIS. Honestly, that was all. I completely understand there are mistakes in the medical profession, we are human, after all. Just saying, that was my experience with MRI. I would like an explanation why CT and bone scans are more accurate in this situation.

[Texas Proud]

You know, I remember the MRI that I got on my back... it was a horrible experience (that I seemed to have forgotten a bit)... put in a small tube and the operator that did not seem to respond to anything... including me moving!!! I have some back problems and as someone else mentioned, once I got inside it starting to hurt bad...

I remember my BIL telling me to get a pill to knock me out.... that is how he did them... if I have to do again that is what I will do...

[yakers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG My last MRI was a tragic accident. My c-spine was causing incredible pain and numbness in my left arm. As the tech got me situated that nerve got pinched and as the tech gave me the panic button in my left hand it became paralyzed. So here I am in the MRI in incredible pain and a panic button I can't depress! Somewhere during the event the tech uses the speaker to tell me to stay still! Haha, I'd been screaming in intense pain for at least 20 minutes! They said the MRI was OK quality wise, as after it was over I let them know how much I'd been moving around.

My last PET scan after my tongue/throat cancer treatments was 'interesting'. I came a bit early and saw an ambulance and two medics removing a body. I mentioned that to the nurse at check in and she said, "Oh, you saw that. Do you want to reschedule?" I didn't. It went fine and finally, 18 moths after the radiation & chemo I got my first clear reading.

[LOL!]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakers 18 moths after the radiation & chemo I got my first clear reading.

Congratulations. I will have get my pet moths working for me, too.

[Texas Proud]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakers My last PET scan after my tongue/throat cancer treatments was 'interesting'. I came a bit early and saw an ambulance and two medics removing a body. I mentioned that to the nurse at check in and she said, "Oh, you saw that. Do you want to reschedule?" I didn't. It went fine and finally, 18 moths after the radiation & chemo I got my first clear reading.

Good for you...


At least the nurse did not say 'Oh, that was the last guy to get a scan'.....

[JoeWras]

Had an MRI on lumbar spine and I have new life after. No fusion, just a diskectomy. After decades of pain, with a year of 5+ pain, I'm a new person today.

My MRI was pretty dramatic even to a lay person. So in my case, it was a pretty high standard, compared to regular old x-rays. Hell of a lot better than a myelogram.

I used to be the "no surgery ever" guy until I was brought to my knees by every cough and deep breath.

[splitwdw]

LOL, How's the ankle doing?

[LOL!]

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitwdw LOL, How's the ankle doing?

No pain as long as I keep it elevated and don't move it. First post-op check-up tomorrow will let me see the stitches for the first time. Thx.