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Cat Scans and MRI's

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Posted 6/14/2010 4:27 PM (GMT 0)

I remember hearing recently on the news that ct scans give off more radiation than originally thought.  This concerns me beause in the past year I have had six scans due to kidney stones and an enlarged abdomenal lymph node.  Have any of you had your number of scans reduced because of this new finding?

Also, are there any medical risks associated with mri's?  I used to have an abdomenal mri twice a year but my doctors are watching a lesion on my liver and now want me to have mri's every three months.  

Susie

Posted 6/14/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
When I was in the transplant program, they had me have an ultrasound, then a CT scan, then an MRI, each spaced 4 months apart. I tried to get them to stop so many CTs, because they're a high dose of radiation. Unfortunately, MRIs are very expensive and insurance wouldn't pay for them but once a year, or in an emergency. I ended up having 2 ultrasounds and a single MRI per year. Toward the end, when I was very sick, I had a couple of MRIs within 3 months. One with contrast, the other without. A tech operating the MRI, told me there is a minimal amount of radiation from them, nowhere near as much from a CT, or x ray. In the past 9 years, I've had at least a dozen MRIs, 6-7 CTs, and 20+ x rays. By now, I probably glow in the dark. It's another one of those things that you deal with when your liver isn't working well. I feel comfortable in an MRI, and often fall asleep. **David**
Posted 6/14/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, Susie!  Welcome to the forum.  I also heard that recent news about CT scans.  MRIs are entirely different since there is very minimal radiation.  Ultrasounds use sound waves, so no danger there.  I have abdominal MRIs every 6 mos. due to past liver cancer.  Sometimes they will do a CT instead, but the MRIs with Gadolinium contrast are much more revealing and accurate so I don't have CTs often.  I've had many x-rays and CT scans over the past 8 yrs., though (due to multiple hip surgeries) which did concern me some.  Now I only need x-rays once a year.

I suggest you discuss your concerns with your doctors.  If you are not seeing a hepatologist yet, you might want to do so.  The liver lesion and enlarged abdominal lymph node should be reviewed by a specialist.

Connie


Posted 6/15/2010 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
better to be lit up... then the alternative...
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