Should MRI be done using contrast?

[Grant12]

I've been booked for an MRI to see if my symptoms are that of an AN, but my scan is without contrast. Is this going to miss an AN if it's there?

[Tabbycat]

Hello Grant12

The gold standard test for diagnosing an Acoustic Neuroma is an MRI scan with contrast, if possible. When I was referred to an ENT specialist with loss of hearing on my right side, they gave me an MRI without contrast at my local hospital 'just to rule anything sinister out'. The ENT consultant said he thought it might be an AN, but referred me on to the skull base team at the nearest specialist hospital, where my scan results were looked at by no less than two neurosurgeons and a consultant radiologist. They confirmed the diagnosis, and I didn't have an MRI with contrast until the following year.

Acoustic Neuromas are quite rare; they need to be diagnosed by a specialist in that field.

Who has sent you for your MRI?

Tabby 🐱

[Grant12 in reply to Tabbycat]

Thank you Tabby, ENT have organised my MRI, my symptoms started with tinitus in one ear, and a blocked feeling. Started around xmas, I have the mri in 2 weeks from now, but my worry has gone into overdrive!

[Tabbycat in reply to Grant12]

Hello again

It is a difficult time when all this starts. I was terrified and the time between seeing the ENT guy and having the MRI seemed to go on forever. By the time I was called in for the MRI results I had convinced myself that I had a brain tumour which was huge, cancerous and inoperable, and basically I was going to die. My husband came with me to the appointment and all I remember was the consultant saying: Yes I had brain tumour. It was tiny. But it was likely to be benign, NOT CANCER. Everything else is a blur.

I had never heard of Acoustic Neuromas, neither had anyone I knew. Luckily I found the British Acoustic Neuroma Association BANA website, which has lots of reliable information. My GP was a great support - she told me she had never had a patient with an AN, but found out lots of helpful information for me. The one thing she said that I clung on to was - they would have sent you straight to Leeds for surgery if it was really bad.

My husband and I decided not to tell anyone else until we knew what we were dealing with. I had my MRI in the November and my appointment to see the skull base team in Leeds wasn't until the January - another long wait. Once I had a definite diagnosis, I felt some relief, but it took me a long time to get my head round the fact that I had an AN and it wasn't going anywhere. But seven years down the line I am still here!

You can do this!

Stay strong,

Tabby 🐱

[Grant12 in reply to Tabbycat]

Thank you, you are all very brave here.

[Bob36]

I didn't have contrast for my first couple of MRIs. I think the contrast defines any changes in future scans. But in short, yes, I was diagnosed without contrast. Hope it all goes well.

[Grant12 in reply to Bob36]

Thank you Bob

[flappers]

Hi Grant, I was referred for an MRI by my GP due to persistent sudden onset tinnitus in one ear, I received a phone call 2 days after my scan to advise it was a AN and although it was clear on the MRI they were also referring me for a contrast scan to really get a defined picture of it. I had that within a week. So it can clearly be seen ( mine was 15mm) but as tabby says the contrast scan is the definitive one as any tumor soaks up the dye. It seems not everyone has one until the follow up a year or six months later to see growth rate (which is nearly always very very slow). You’ve found the right place if you do have an AN ( and join BANA) but try to remember that they are rare and the symptoms can be so many other things. Let us know how you got on! Lin

[Kristyll]

I would think if there was any doubt the scan will be repeated with contrast.

[Azliegde]

Hi , I’m not sure if MRI has to be done with contrast. However, I had two MRI scans done so far and they both were with contrast. Contrast help to see the AN better and more accurate size , I believe. I would ask your GP or whoever referred you, just to double check.