Guest guest Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I had yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I was on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not going to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent CT scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my upper jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that a CT scan could get basically the same information without the risk of complications. Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I had read some information about it and never came across anything that said that people with screws in their head should not have the test. It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart valves, or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar situation. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2003 Report Share Posted September 6, 2003 Hi! That's odd. I had an MRI a few months ago after I had my surgeries. I still have all my screws and plates (including two big ones that run the entire length of my lower jaw) and was told it would not be a problem. The scan was of my TMJ's and the screws didn't cause any problems. > Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I had > yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. > > I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I was > on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not going > to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent CT > scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my upper > jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that a CT > scan could get basically the same information without the risk of > complications. > > Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I had > read some information about it and never came across anything that > said that people with screws in their head should not have the test. > It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart valves, > or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. > > Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar situation. > > Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 Hi, . I guess it just goes to show you that there are many different interpretations, opinions, etc. in medicine. My neurologist, who ordered the MRI, had asked what type of jaw surgery I had, but I can't remember if we specifically talked about plates and screws. I think I was most surprised that the radiology people had reviewed the CT scan of my sinuses which was ordered by a different doctor, but was done at the same hospital. If there really were any potential complications, I'm glad they put forth the effort to review the other films. I plan to ask my neurologist about the whole thing at my next appointment. Take care, Sandy > > Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I had > > yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. > > > > I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I > was > > on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not > going > > to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent > CT > > scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my > upper > > jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that a > CT > > scan could get basically the same information without the risk of > > complications. > > > > Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I > had > > read some information about it and never came across anything that > > said that people with screws in their head should not have the > test. > > It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart > valves, > > or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. > > > > Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar > situation. > > > > Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 Also seems odd to me. I know they can do MRIs on patients who have a surgical pin in a shoulder -- and this was of the chest. I was able to be in the room while I had a mouthful of hardware, too, although they made me shed all my jewelry. I know that both are, for me anyhow, fearfully expensive, but I'm wondering whether the CT scan is cheaper to do.... Sorry to be so cynical. What matters, though, is that you got good info from the test, which I hope happened for you. Best, Cammie > > Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I had > > yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. > > > > I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I > was > > on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not > going > > to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent > CT > > scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my > upper > > jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that a > CT > > scan could get basically the same information without the risk of > > complications. > > > > Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I > had > > read some information about it and never came across anything that > > said that people with screws in their head should not have the > test. > > It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart > valves, > > or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. > > > > Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar > situation. > > > > Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 Last February, I did a labyrinthitis (I'm sure it's mispelled!) and had to go for a CT Scan. The braces did not pose any problems, said the nurse. Then, the CT scan revealed a tumor in another region of my brain, and had to go for an MRI. That's when I learned the braces are ok because they are not *in* the body, but if I was to go through this again, my plates and screws are going to be a problem. Btw, the tumor was a false alarm. Can I say that I had two weeks of complete hell, before I learned the facst.. ? CT Scan : 250$. MRI : 550$ Mc's : 4.99$ Morality, it cost less to damage yourself knowingly than to learn what is killing you Ray > > > Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I > had > > > yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. > > > > > > I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I > > was > > > on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not > > going > > > to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent > > CT > > > scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my > > upper > > > jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that > a > > CT > > > scan could get basically the same information without the risk of > > > complications. > > > > > > Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I > > had > > > read some information about it and never came across anything > that > > > said that people with screws in their head should not have the > > test. > > > It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart > > valves, > > > or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. > > > > > > Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar > > situation. > > > > > > Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2003 Report Share Posted September 7, 2003 > CT Scan : 250$. MRI : 550$ > Mc's : 4.99$ > > Morality, it cost less to damage yourself knowingly than to learn > what is killing you LOL! Love it! What a terrible thing to be waiting two weeks for a diagnosis like that... 8| Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 > > CT Scan : 250$. MRI : 550$ > > Mc's : 4.99$ > > > > Morality, it cost less to damage yourself knowingly than to learn > > what is killing you > > LOL! Love it! > > What a terrible thing to be waiting two weeks for a diagnosis like > that... 8| Well, there's always a good side in everything. In this case, it thaught me to stop anticipating things. I got anxious like hell, for nothing... ! Next time, if there's such a time, I will wait before reacting Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 Fiddlesticks has given good advice about this... Don't worry until you know you have something to worry about... Easier said than done, however. Cammie > > > CT Scan : 250$. MRI : 550$ > > > Mc's : 4.99$ > > > > > > Morality, it cost less to damage yourself knowingly than to > learn > > > what is killing you > > > > LOL! Love it! > > > > What a terrible thing to be waiting two weeks for a diagnosis like > > that... 8| > > Well, there's always a good side in everything. In this case, it > thaught me to stop anticipating things. I got anxious like hell, > for nothing... ! Next time, if there's such a time, I will wait > before reacting > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 Speaking of which... I saw the surgeon today, and again, the final decision is postponed for another week. I didn't have patience in quantities before I got my braces. It's a thing I've started to cultivate in large amounts since then Tomorrow, I'll have my molds done at my ortho and I will bring them back to him next week. He'll take a few days, and contact me afterwards on what needs to be done (i.e. removing my wisdom teeth before or not). I do wish he'll remove them after, so that I can get this thing behind me for good! Ray > > > > CT Scan : 250$. MRI : 550$ > > > > Mc's : 4.99$ > > > > > > > > Morality, it cost less to damage yourself knowingly than to > > learn > > > > what is killing you > > > > > > LOL! Love it! > > > > > > What a terrible thing to be waiting two weeks for a diagnosis > like > > > that... 8| > > > > Well, there's always a good side in everything. In this case, it > > thaught me to stop anticipating things. I got anxious like hell, > > for nothing... ! Next time, if there's such a time, I will wait > > before reacting > > > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 The deal with MRIs is that they're just big superconducting magnets. A radio frequency signal is passed through the bore (the hole that you go in) and they measure the signal that comes out. Metal can be a problem only if it is magnetic and only depending on what part of your body the doctors are looking at. Magnetic jewelry, watches, and large implants can be attracted to the magnet and cause the patient injury (as well as " quench " , or demagnetize, the magnet). Having your watch even a few yards away from the magnet can slow it down by several minutes. The other problem with small screws and such is that if they're magnetic (or have trace magnetic metals in them), they will distort the image. This is not good if you're looking to take a measurement, say, of the space around your TMJ disks. Even if you have magnetic screws or plates, sometimes the technicians can get around the distortion problem by using special gradients. They're just coils of wire that are arranged to help out the magnetic field and the radio signal. Between gradients and the pulse programs (how the radio signals go in) used, it is possible to get rid of the distortions (or artifacts). I work with superconducting magnets similar to the ones used in MRIs, only I'm doing environmental chemistry research. I've had the experience of feeling jewelry or hair clips tug on me near the magnet, and I've also experienced multiple " time warps " by wearing my watch when I shouldn't. My advisor makes us learn all the scary math behind the principles of these instruments. I won't torture you with the gory details, but I hope my explanation helps. I tried to find out a lot about the dangers of having metal in my mouth before joining this research group!!! Ruth > Hi everyone! I thought I'd share an unusual experience that I had > yesterday which may come up for anyone post-op. > > I was scheduled to have an MRI of my brain yesterday, but when I was > on my way to radiology, the guy who met me said that I was not going > to have an MRI, but a CT scan instead. He had reviewed a recent CT > scan of my sinuses and saw the screws that were used to hold my upper > jaw together, consulted with my doctor, and they determined that a CT > scan could get basically the same information without the risk of > complications. > > Since this was the first MRI that I was ever scheduled to have, I had > read some information about it and never came across anything that > said that people with screws in their head should not have the test. > It can't be done for people with pacemakers, artificial heart valves, > or inner ear tubes, but screws were not mentioned. > > Just something to think about if you're ever in a similar situation. > > Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2003 Report Share Posted September 8, 2003 Thanks a lot Ruth, very, very interesting explanations! Ray > The deal with MRIs is that they're just big superconducting magnets. > A radio frequency signal is passed through the bore (the hole that you > go in) and they measure the signal that comes out. > > Metal can be a problem only if it is magnetic and only depending on > what part of your body the doctors are looking at. Magnetic jewelry, > watches, and large implants can be attracted to the magnet and cause > the patient injury (as well as " quench " , or demagnetize, the magnet). > Having your watch even a few yards away from the magnet can slow it > down by several minutes. The other problem with small screws and such > is that if they're magnetic (or have trace magnetic metals in them), > they will distort the image. This is not good if you're looking to > take a measurement, say, of the space around your TMJ disks. > > Even if you have magnetic screws or plates, sometimes the technicians > can get around the distortion problem by using special gradients. > They're just coils of wire that are arranged to help out the magnetic > field and the radio signal. Between gradients and the pulse programs > (how the radio signals go in) used, it is possible to get rid of the > distortions (or artifacts). > > I work with superconducting magnets similar to the ones used in MRIs, > only I'm doing environmental chemistry research. I've had the > experience of feeling jewelry or hair clips tug on me near the magnet, > and I've also experienced multiple " time warps " by wearing my watch > when I shouldn't. My advisor makes us learn all the scary math behind > the principles of these instruments. I won't torture you with the > gory details, but I hope my explanation helps. I tried to find out a > lot about the dangers of having metal in my mouth before joining this > research group!!! > > Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.