I am not obsessing about my 3T MRIs, just find them interesting.

[Fluffysmom]

Getting them done (three hours) and waiting for the CD to be printed out (another hour, they were busy) was an exhausting process; at least the worst of rush hour was over by the time I got done and was able to come straight home and take a look!  :o)

I know I have to wait for the report.  From my totally in-expert assesment, the 3T films of my spine seem to show the same patchy areas in the thoracic that the 1.5s did last year, so although they weren't artifact, I don't know if anyone will call them lesions, either.  I'll just have to wait and see.

It seems like more lesions are showing, and there are some larger ones.  The new software has a tool to measure stuff, and I could tell that several of my lesions are over 5mm; though I don't know if they're in areas that "count".  It kind of looks like there are tiny hyperintensities in the cerebellum, but like I said, I have to wait for the report.

I hope they mailed it today!  I suppose it would be silly to check for it tomorrow, but I'll check on Monday, for sure.  I'll let you all know what it says, good, bad, or indifferent.

It took me a while to figure out how to export a picture from the software, but I managed to post one; check it out if you're interested.

Kathy

[essdipity]

I had a neuro tell me that too. In a way it makes sense, I suppose. The 3T is most important for those undiagnosed.

I managed to get around this by changing neuros and going to a place that only has 3Ts. Last year I had my first MRIs there, and this summer will be follow-ups, so we'll be back to apples and apples. There sure are a lot of strange fruit in my brain.  :o)

ess

[Erin0313]

Kathy,

Just wanted to say hi & good luck with the results.

There is a huge difference in the pics. I have never had a 3T because my neuro says that they want to compare apples to apples and the 3T always shows way more then the others so they can't tell what's new or just what shows up better.

I guess she considers my brain apples, ha ha.

Keep us posted when you get the report - I'll be thinking of you

Hugs,
Erin :)

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks, all for your comments and kind words.

Heather, I was wondering last night if I could have gotten the peripheral lesions back when I smoked, drank, ate lots of deep-fried foods, and weighed quite a bit more than I do now.  The closest I got to high blood pressure was when it was borderline high, and I changed some things in my life and got rid of my risk factors.

I wonder if you can have ischemic changes, then get healthier and not get any more?  My cardiologist put it in writing that I don't have any risk factors that would be causing lesions, with plenty of testing for evidence to support it.

I know how hard it is to quit smoking; it took me twice (with several short practice sessions) before I got it right, lol.  

I wondered if that could be a Dawson's finger; I really have absorbed a lot from everyone on the forum, and all the links they shared.

I knew my symptoms weren't caused by small vessel ischemic disease, so I kept looking, and pressing for answers, moving on from dismissive neuros.

Udkas, I know that you understand my frustration, and really appreciate your well wishes.

WAF, I'll pass your compliment on to Fluffy; he's in his bed in the closet at the moment, getting his beauty sleep. :o).  I have a lot of fun taking pictures, and I love sharing them on the forum.  When I go on a trip, I like to post them so people can see what I've been seeing.

I actually sent a forum member a CD of pictures from my trip to Maui, someone that had always wanted to go there.

I go out of network to see my MS neuro, which means a $25 co-pay instead of a $10 co-pay; worth it since the two in-network neuros I saw weren't much help.  So far, I haven't been billed for any tests, and I've had a lot.  I think that since they accept my insurance, they right off the difference.  Thank goodness!

The hot 3T I had in 2007 was in network, and I wasn't charged extra for it.

Thanks for the link; I'll definitely check it out.  I found some neuro-anatomy sights and learned where different parts of the brain were, which was fascinating. Of course I only remember a little of it, but I'm such a curious sort that I had to look.

I'm going to call my catsitter, who has a key to my apartment (I'm at a friend's house) and ask her to check my mail, just in case the report came today.  Then I'll keep really busy!  I still haven't filled out the paperwork for my new vestibular physical therapy appointment on Monday!

Tomorrow I'll drive over to the ocean, maybe stop at Spirit Mountain Casino on the way, have lunch at a place overlooking the ocean, and try to forget about health issues for a day.  Hmm, I should take my camera.  Its supposed to rain, but the sun might break through; it has today.

Thank you all again, I'll let you know what the report says.

Take care of yourselves,

Kathy

[MsWobbles]

First of all, first things first:  I looked at your photos and Fluffy is gorgeous!!  A handsome fellow - bringing to mind the favorite pets of the villains in James Bond movies - those luxuriant fluffy chinchilla Persians.  I also enjoyed your other scenic shots - you have taken some really beautiful photos!

About your 3Tesla MRI versus the 1.5Tesla:  Definitely more clarity!  More spots on the 3Tesla!  Did you have to pay a lot out of pocket for the 3Tesla?  I hope it brings you a diagnosis!!

I know it must be so hard for you to wait for the final report!!  I'm not sure if you already know about the following site (which someone on this forum was kind enough to mention to me) but going there might give you some insights when comparing their pictures to yours.  It'll give you something to do to pass time until Monday.   It is called "Radiology Assistant" and it's very illuminating.  It talks about Dawsons fingers (which it says are generally perpendicular to the ventricles) and is located at:  

http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/4556dea65db62#p4594f74ccbf19

Have fun and good luck to you!!

WAF

[Udkas]

Hi Kathy,
Wow there is a huge difference between your MRI pics, an amazing difference in quality. I don't know much about reading MRI, I do know they look for bright white spots but that's about my limit on it.

I hope for you that you can get a diagnosis or a better understanding to the cause of your problems.  I understand and feel the frustration of being in limbo.

Please keep us updated on your report. Wishing you the best, I am glad you were able to get them done on a T3 machine.

Cheers,
Udkas.

[Heather3418]

Yes you do have alot of white spots.  It's exactly right as Lulu said, these white spots do not spell out MS.  MS is a matter of history, physical examination, testing to rule out other disorders and the like.  I have never heard of a diagnosis of MS being made solely on the MRI.

You do have one area that is in the upper right, that looks like a "finger shaped" lesion.  If this is, it is called "Dawson's finger," and is seen commonly in MS lesions.

I am certainly NOT a doctor, never claimed to be, but personally I think you have the possibility of a couple of different things going on.  I think you realize that too.

I know you would like answers Kathy and I can't wait to hear what the radiology report says about the numerous spots.  Hang in there, dearheart.  

They are some really clear films and wouldn't think of having another MRI on a 1.5T  For me, it's 3T or nothing, after experiencing the difference.  When I had my recent 3T of the brain, I had several small, small spots this time and it could be small vessel disease.  My Neuro wanted to look the scans over with a specialist friend of hers in the medical field.  I will find out in a few weeks.  I am also a smoker.  I know, bad me.  Oh well, we all have our weaknesses.

Big Hugs and please let us know what the report says.  Thanks for posting those pictures.  It's a great example of the difference in MRI magnification.  Wow.  Best example I have seen thus far.

Heather

[Fluffysmom]

I've been here for 15 months or so, and believe me, after everything I've learned here and the 3 neuros I've seen, I do understand that there are other causes of white spots on MRIs than MS.

I've had most of them ruled out, though there's always something else.  Having fought three neuros to get used to the fact that I have no risk factors for small vessel ischemic disease unless it's some rare hereditary type that no one else in my family had (that I know of, of course), I am well versed in most of the causes of white spots on brain MRIs.

I even know a few causes of them on the spine besides MS, too.  I doubt that the little spots on my spine are lesions, but we'll see when the report comes in.  

I'm also curious about what the radiologist with say about my C4 vertebra that is hyperintense on T2 and hypointense on T1.  This is the clearest picture I've had of it, and it doesn't look very good.  Its supposed to be a benign hemangioma, but its pretty much taken over the whole vertebra.  Its fascinating.

If he'll note the old compression fracture at T7.  They still note all that stuff when the MRI is done under the MS protocol, don't they?

Then there's the probable mega cisterna magna; I'll be curious what a new radiologist will say about it.  Knowledge is power, and I feel that these 3T MRIs will add to the knowledge about what's going on with my body, and maybe help give me some power to lead a more normal life.  

At least one that's not quite so totally in limboland.  Not that I haven't enjoyed my time here with everyone, and I'm not really in a hurry to join your club.  I do want answers.

Just one of the family, feeling like an old-timer, and I joined something like a year after this forum was started.  I sure am grateful for it, and you and the rest of the Co-CLs.

Thanks,

kathy

[Lulu54]

Hi Kathy,
So glad to hear you made it through that long time on your back with the MRI.  Quite the ordeal  I took a look at your MRI pic - yes, there are a lot of white spots.  Just don't overlook the fact that there are other causes of white spots on MRI's than MS lesions.  As we tell everyone here all the time, stay open to the possibilities.  

Here's hoping the doctors will be able to tell something from all of this.
Lulu

[missy142]

Gosh what a shame the medical red tape one must go thru.  I mean of course you want to rule out all possibilities but the amount of time and neuro's you had to go thru, geez!  Yes it does sound like you are on the correct path now, good luck to you!

missy

[Fluffysmom]

I checked out your ouchy cervical MRI; amazingly clear, but not what YOU wanted to see, either, right?

I'm on my 3rd neurologist, this one a MS specialist.  They all three thought I had small vessel ischemic disease, despite no predisposing factors, simply because I have a lot of peripheral lesions, where SVID lesions would be.

But there are more, plus neurological symptoms.  They wouldn't listen, until my current neuro got a fax from my cardiologist on the day of my last appointment, that changed a lot.  Hopefully I'll get some answers soon; I was stuck too long behind that SVID label!

Kathy

[missy142]

Hi Kathy,
Your MRI's seem very impressive.  I do not have MS and am not a physician, but my goodness from all the MRI's ive seen online of people who have ms, you dont have a dx?? wow.  I am glad you have a good PCP very important to coordinate care.  Thats a damn shame you had to wait a year for your MRI's, but nonetheless they look worth the wait, I saw them.  I know its not the kind of thing you want to see but the pics of a 3T are quite remarkable arent they?:)

missy

[Fluffysmom]

I uploaded a 1.5 MRI picture from last year as close as I could get to the new 3T one that I just posted.  Big difference!

missy; my PCP's office is two blocks away from my apartment, and her staff isn't the greatest.  The hospital where I had it done is less than five miles from my apartment, within 10 miles of the main post office.

The guy in the film library said it would take a day, maybe two to get to my place, so I thought that would be better than filling out another release of information form and dealing with the staff that has kept me from getting a prescription filled, because she called it in wrong, won't admit it, argued with my pharmacist; you get the picture.

It's just more simple this way.  I need to learn patience, anyway, lol!  I've waited a year for these 3T MRIs; what's a few more days to see the report.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.  It was a good one; my PCP is wonderful, but her self-appointed gate-keeper is a pain at this point.  

Kathy

[missy142]

Why dont you ask the MRI facility to fax the report to your md? then perhaps u can get the results faster.

missy