Hi Forum Folks,
Has anybody on this forum had multiple MRIs of different sections of the body performed in one session instead of a whole-body MRI?
Colorado doesn't offer any whole-body MRIs to their patients, so I was wondering if it is possible to separately do an MRI of the pelvis and lower spine, chest, and then skull to instead cover the key, likely areas of concern for bone damage? Would this take a ridiculously long time to perform?
Forums
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Hi Multibilly,
Good question.
Not I. I only have had MRIs on individual parts of my body.
Will be interested to hear what others say ...
Good luck!
Mike
Good question.
Not I. I only have had MRIs on individual parts of my body.
Will be interested to hear what others say ...
Good luck!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Multibilly
This past April I had a script to get an MRI on my complete spine, which was divided into 3 sections. I had 2 of the MRI scans one evening and then the third one the next night. The night I had 2 scans it did take a while (couple hours? at least it seemed like it). Unfortunately my memory is not too accurate. But I remember they did mention that they dont like to scan too much at one time but I do not remember the reason. Hope this helps.
This past April I had a script to get an MRI on my complete spine, which was divided into 3 sections. I had 2 of the MRI scans one evening and then the third one the next night. The night I had 2 scans it did take a while (couple hours? at least it seemed like it). Unfortunately my memory is not too accurate. But I remember they did mention that they dont like to scan too much at one time but I do not remember the reason. Hope this helps.
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
My husband had these images in one continuous procedure, calvarium, shoulders, chest, lumbar spine, cervical spine and pelvis. I don't think thats considered a whole body MRI, but I'm not sure. He has an MRI of the brain coming up.
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Thanks Cindylouise!
Do you or your husband recall how long this procedure took? I am used to being in a PET/CT tube for 45-60 minutes and vaguely recall from a few years ago that an MRI of my abdomen required about 30 minutes in the tube.
Do you or your husband recall how long this procedure took? I am used to being in a PET/CT tube for 45-60 minutes and vaguely recall from a few years ago that an MRI of my abdomen required about 30 minutes in the tube.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Hi MB,
It took a little over an hour if I remember correctly. So, I had to look up calvarium because it was a term I was unfamiliar with. So my understanding is it looks specifically at the skull. What I'm wondering is what is the difference between looking just at the skull, but it doesn't look at the brain itself? Does that sound correct?
We have to go back for an MRI of the brain due to new issues with forgetfulness / confusion.
It took a little over an hour if I remember correctly. So, I had to look up calvarium because it was a term I was unfamiliar with. So my understanding is it looks specifically at the skull. What I'm wondering is what is the difference between looking just at the skull, but it doesn't look at the brain itself? Does that sound correct?
We have to go back for an MRI of the brain due to new issues with forgetfulness / confusion.
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Forgot to add that these were all done without contrast. His kidney function doesn't currently allow for the contrast.
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Exactly. My understanding is that multiple myeloma patients are supposed to avoid radiological contrasting agents in general. Even as an asymptomatic smolderer with fine renal function, my onc told me to avoid them.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
I just had two MRI studies, with contrast, of the lumbar and throacic spine. I didn't realize they were going to do the contrast. I've been very stable MGUS for 1 1/2 years, but my last full body x-ray the radiologist noted a compression fracture and osteoporosis. We suspect the x ray may have been over read, but we'd rather know for sure. I also have a lot of back and leg pain and neuropathy which may be due to degenerative disk issues.
They told me these were special MRIs because they look much closer. I really didn't know there were different types. I thought it was just one type of MRI, it was just a matter of what area of the body they look at.
It took about 1 1/2 hours for the two studies.
I slept during most of it. I've had numerous MRIs in my lifetime.
They told me these were special MRIs because they look much closer. I really didn't know there were different types. I thought it was just one type of MRI, it was just a matter of what area of the body they look at.
It took about 1 1/2 hours for the two studies.
I slept during most of it. I've had numerous MRIs in my lifetime.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Multiple MRIs in one session?
Toni,
Going forward, you might want to be a bit more assertive on the use of MRI contrast agents.
As I understand it, most MRI contrast agents are based on gadolinium. There was a paper that was written a few years back that showed that gadolinium actually promotes multiple myeloma cellular activity. The doctors that wrote this paper are some well-known heavyweights in the myeloma arena. As a result, I believe several places like UAMS now no longer utilize MRI contrast agents with their myeloma patients.
M Fulciniti et al, "Gadolinium Containing Contrast Agent Promotes Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth: Implication for Clinical Use of MRI in Myeloma," ASH 2009 annual meeting, abstract 1809 (abstract, poster)
Also, as I recall, there have been some studies that have shown that MRIs without contrast agents typically yield quite good results, except perhaps when it comes to imaging extramedullary plasmacytomas (but I'm just vaguely recalling that particular shortcoming of not using an MRI contrast agent).
Going forward, you might want to be a bit more assertive on the use of MRI contrast agents.
As I understand it, most MRI contrast agents are based on gadolinium. There was a paper that was written a few years back that showed that gadolinium actually promotes multiple myeloma cellular activity. The doctors that wrote this paper are some well-known heavyweights in the myeloma arena. As a result, I believe several places like UAMS now no longer utilize MRI contrast agents with their myeloma patients.
M Fulciniti et al, "Gadolinium Containing Contrast Agent Promotes Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth: Implication for Clinical Use of MRI in Myeloma," ASH 2009 annual meeting, abstract 1809 (abstract, poster)
Also, as I recall, there have been some studies that have shown that MRIs without contrast agents typically yield quite good results, except perhaps when it comes to imaging extramedullary plasmacytomas (but I'm just vaguely recalling that particular shortcoming of not using an MRI contrast agent).
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
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