MRI Question

[loopey]

I had another MRI yesterday and I wondered why my MRI's are done both with and without contrast. If contrast is better why not just do it that way instead of both?

[KoKo]

Hi loopey ~

I had another MRI yesterday and I wondered why my MRI's are done both with and without contrast.

MRI without contrast shows both old and new lesions (lesions that were not shown on previous MRI), but does not indicate whether there is any current inflammation going on.

MRI with contrast shows currently active (inflammation) lesions.

If contrast is better why not just do it that way instead of both?

Contrast MRI may not show new lesions that may have occurred since last MRI, but are no longer active (inflamed).

Hope this helps.

[loopey]

Thank you Koko!!

[Jennaly16]

I've stopped getting the contrast because i had a difficult time with the last time i had it done. They couldn't get a needle in my vein after four nurses tried. My neurologist told me that he just needs to know if the lesions are there or not and if there are more. Also without contrast cut down the time in the MRI machine which i'm thankful for! However that is what i am comfortable with and others may want the contrast.