Contrast no longer routine for MRI

[Brindisi1]

Follow up yearly exam after a bad exacerbation last year with brain and thoracic lesions. My dr, advised contrast no longer being used for MRIs. Did some research and this is being recommended . I found this:

“In none of the 507 images did the contrast-enhanced sequences reveal interval progression that was missed in the readouts of the nonenhanced sequences. …”

Researchers concluded that scans that employ a 3T MRI* (a higher powered scanner used in research), when used in combination with new artificial intelligence techniques, are “ready to supersede routine use of contrast material in most instances of follow-up investigations of patients with MS, reducing both imaging time and cost without missing new or enlarged lesions.”

The Radiological Society of North America announced the findings in a press release.

I wonder if this is the reason for the 3 month wait for the MRI? It also reduces the cost of the

imaging. This is Houston Tx in the medical center. Wait time used to be about 1-2 weeks. Things are changing. That's all folks .

[Xvettech]

great and amazing news?

[Brindisi1 in reply to Xvettech]

Yes, no more toxins, no 3 months wait for MRI, but maybe just the med group I use?

[falalalala]

I am glad to hear this .

[kdali]

My wait for a 3T is a week or two, and so far have not had one without contrast.

[Brindisi1 in reply to kdali]

Don't know why wait time is so long,never used to be. When having exacerbation last yr, 1 month wait. Something is wrong here. Lots of MS Specialists houston, but wait is name of game. Tried to change to one dr & it was 8 months. Decided didnt need that. Oh well still breathing & springtime

[NorasMom in reply to Brindisi1]

I'm so sorry. These are ridiculous wait times. For routine tests, I have never waited longer than 2 weeks, and suspected exacerbations are less than 3 days. Actually, usually less than 24 hours. They shuffle patients around when it's necessary, although we do have 3 hospitals in this part of the county that work together. It doesn't matter whether contrast has been ordered or not; the wait is never very long.

[kdali in reply to Brindisi1]

My location is not affiliated with a hospital, it's a radiology clinic. Maybe we have more of those here than other cities. The cost is also half of what the university hospital charged for a 2T 3yrs ago 🤯

[Elizt3 in reply to kdali]

I asked my neurologist a few years ago if we could stop using the contrast, and he had no problem with that. He felt he could see what he needed in images without contrast.

[Sandydemop]

a 3T gives better imaging so they shouldn't need to use contrast Yay. as for the wait time maybe there are not enough radiologists or tech people?

[NanaCC]

contrast not good for us so I’m happy

[hairbrain4]

My Neuro stopped using contrast several years ago. She said it wasn't necessary to see what she needed to see.

[stepsforNeeC]

Thank you for this insightful information! After 14 years in with MS, the use of "contrast" made my MRI'S so long I now have to take a mild sedative. Any reduction in time and less chemicals is a win win! 🙂

[johnMSAA Partner]

This is excellent news for any of us who've had to have an MRI and also had to jump through hoops to request not using contrast dye for the procedure - thank you for sharing!

- John, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA)

[Tazmanian]

I had to have a 3t mri for my prostate and I had to travel to the other side of the county I normally get MRI done at hospital around the corner but they don't have a 3t

[bxrmom]

I had 1 Neurologist years ago, that stopped doing contrast after a study came out. But most Neurologists after have done it. Will be interesting to see what my next mri order will be whenever that is.