Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Surgery CT scans vs. MRI

Hi everyone,
Only a quick question this time.
I can't fit into an MRI machine because of the way my neck is fused, so the only other option would be a CT scan of my cervical spine and head. So my question is, would they still be able to find everything they need to see in the CT scan? (in comparison to the MRI) They are looking for spinal cord complications.

Thanks for the help, It's always appreciated.
James.

Hi,
I got the CT scan done, but it took 3 nurses had to help get me positioned properly head first, but we got it done using pillows wedges and boards. The MRI would have been impossible for me to get into. If they find any complications with the nerves or spinal cord in my neck, I have a chance to get my neck fixed. I won't find out what the dx is until Feb 2nd, but from the earlier tests and cat, I found out that I have a new kidney stone, and nerve damage from the elbow down in both arms.
Take Care.
James.

Hi James,

I hope the CT scan is helpful to you - results should be in today. Keep us posted. Take care, Wanda

Hi Wanda,
Yeah the CT scans were helpful to an extent. I found out that I have narrowing of the facets and cervical spine, but I'm sure that is common among advanced AS'ers. I'm not sure if they were able to see everything though, because even though I got in the CT scan machine, my head still wasn't laying down flat. 'Paul in MD' mentioned that an open MRI is good, so I am hunting down a facility that has one, so I can comfortably have an MRI taken. Meanwhile I am doing what I can to keep the inflammation away, so that the problem doesn't continue to get worse. The way how things are looking, and with the luck I have been having, I might not be able to have any surgery.
Thanks for checking up on how my scans went,
Take care,
James.

A little late, but.....

I first had a bone scan, then a CT scan after I fell in Feb 2005. I persisted as my pain wasn't going away, and finally had an MRI 2 weeks ago. Short story is, the MRI found fractures in my T11 & T12 facet joints/vertabrae, more than a full year after I fell, of which the CT scan couldn't pick up. The docter pushed for the MRI because the bone scan showed very hot spot in my T11-12 area. Trouble was it took so long to get MRI because I was on Comp for the fall and their Ortho surgeon said an MRI would not add to my case, thus a fight ensued.

As to fitting into the MRI, just barely, my nosed scraped the top of the tube and my elbow was jammed into my side causing my hand to fall asleep, and I was in there for 40 minutes straight! I am 6 foot and 250 lbs, the max apparently that'll fit. Because I was propped up was why I touched the top with my nose.


I was a tube o' sardine.....

Gday James

I have a issue with L2/L3 since losing some weight (around 18kg/40lb). Ive noticed during stretches expecially when lying down, a sharp poking/prodding internally like bone pressing into muscle/tissue. Can be painful if i go to far.

SO last week i had this thing called a Scintigraph. Which is combination bone scan, blood flow, spectograph & CT scan. Included an injection of Technetium, a radioactive agent for blood flow, and a full 360deg image of my torso was created.

I pick the films & reports up today in fact. Ill let you know how that comes out & maybe its something you could suggest. Was a little uncomfortable as they want your hands above your head so not sure how youll go with your neck again.

Anyway food for thought.
Patrick

Hi
Sorry I didn't get back to this post sooner, I forgot to mark it as a favorite. I haven't heard of a Scintigraph or Spectograph, but its sounds like an alternative to an MRI. So how did they turn out? I believe they had you put your hands above your head so they can get a clear shot at your lumbar area. If this test is done for the neck it might not be necessary. Then again I wouldn't really know anyways, because I haven't had this combination of tests done before. But I will ask my new rheumy about this if he decides I could use another MRI, that's if he doesn't have an open MRI.

Thanks for the reply,
James,

Ahh Thanks Doug,
I knew there had to be a significant difference between the MRI and CT scan results. One doctor told me an MRI is nothing more than a color photo, but when I got to see my MRI of my heart, it was in color and in 3d while it was displayed on the computer. When I had that MRI done it was tough too, because my chin was rubbing and my elbows had to stay outside the machine, but it's really difficult to raise my arms. The cat scan I just had, they put me in head first so I didn't have too much trouble after I got in there far enough.

Anyways, what you said about your results from the CT scan and the recent MRI scan shows that there are some things that can get missed in a CT scan. so thanks for that, My neuro felt there was no need for further testing after mt CT scan. I feel like there is some damage up there, not just a narrowing problem, and my new rheumy must have seen something in my xrays, because he said he has no objections with me getting surgery. With all of the tests I was taking during my appointment, I didn't have too much time to ask alot of questions, but I am going to make it a point to have him go over my xrays with him on my next appointment.

Thanks,
James.

Hey James,
I don't know about where you are, but I know there are "open MRI's". I don't know how popular these are, but I'm wondering if that's something you could look into in order for you to get and MRI. When I first got mine they gave me that as an option in case I was claustraphobic...I turned it down so I don't have many details for you. But I do know it exists if you wanted to research further maybe this could help you?

Good luck,
Jess

Hi Jess,
Thanks for the advice. Actually it's a good reminder because someone else recently mentioned this to me. Open MRI's are hard to find in my area, but I just saw my new rheumatologist and he is located in a big new looking medical building, which not in my area. They had me going all over the place in that building getting tests and xrays done, so I was trying to peek around looking for an open MRI, but I didn't see one. I was going to ask them before I left the building, but they started to have a lot of other patients come in, and there was a line forming at the information counter. So I'm going to ask them about it when I go back this month. There is a good chance they do, judging by the size of the place, plus it's next door to the hospital, which is ten times bigger than the one in my neighborhood too. :-)

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep looking :-)
James.