MRI scan with or without contrast?? - Endometriosis UK

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MRI scan with or without contrast??

Ecclesiastical profile image
8 Replies

I just wondered if anyone would be able to help in regard to their previous experience with having an MRI pre excision surgery.

I have been on an NHS waiting list since January and opted to see a specialist privately. He has advised having an MRI to determine whether I have superficial/deep infiltrating endometriosis.

I had a diagnostic lap a few years ago and it was found in 3 areas.

I will be paying for the scan and wanted to know if anyone knew if they had to use contrast?

Thankyou

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Ecclesiastical
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8 Replies
Smokey2020 profile image
Smokey2020

Hi. When I had my MRI they did use contrast right at the very end but the cannula was put in before the scam started. I found the scan fine. You are a Little cramped and it is noisy but if you can try to zone out it helps. Mine took about an hour in total. So a wee while of lying very still in a small space - got pins and needles towards the end. Images showed endo though so surgery could be planned with more info on what was going on inside. Good luck with yours.

I had a MRI with contrast back in March. I was in The scanner for approximately 50 minutes with contracts being added for the last 10 mins (I think).

Listened to 80s heart through headphones and tried to zone out; fortunately I could see a little bit of the room ceiling which helped with the feeling of isolation.

My results showed a frozen pelvis and abscesses in my Fallopian tubes, so now waiting on surgery.

Good luck xx

Kirca20 profile image
Kirca20

Hi.ask for an MRI with protocol for endometriosis, or it might be called MRI with gel instilation , where they insert a gel into the rectum and vagina,only this endo lessons can be seen otherwise the MRI with contrast will not show everything or it might show nothing.

Yes, they do. Just has mine 2 weeks ago, is uncomfortable but not painful

G3miniStar profile image
G3miniStar

MRIs aren't anything to worry about, you lie still and they put headphones on you with usually awful music lol takes between 30 mins-1 hr.

If you're paying for it, hopefully that means it's going to be reviewed by an imaging specialist as this is more important in my experience, first MRI I had was only looked at by a general radiographer and he missed my stage 4 Endo completely. My 2nd MRI the other day was reviewed by a bowel/rectum specialist and he was able to see my scar tissue and adhesions no problem, could even see my uterus tilting backwards. It really makes a difference who reviews the scans x

Ecclesiastical profile image
Ecclesiastical

Thankyou so much, feel so fortunate to have a place where I can ask for help and support from such lovely people who are also trying to navigate their way through this condition. It can feel quite lonely at times x

Purple_Cavalier profile image
Purple_Cavalier

I had MRI which picked up lots of endo and cysts too.

M1673402 profile image
M1673402

Hi, I was really worried about this too! I have stage 4 endometriosis, I had an MRI a few weeks ago. I didn’t have to have contrast, they warned me beforehand this may be needed but turned out I was fine without in the end. They mentioned the need for something to relax my bowel to get a clear image but this wasn’t needed either. So just depends really! Good luck with it x

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