Very desperate for information

[Teri K.]

Hello,
I have had numerous MRI's of every area in the back and head. When I have had an MRI of the Lumbar region they have done a profile of the entire spine. Not sure, but maybe it is to check positioning of the spine before they do the localized area. They seem to do the whole spinal view first and then the separate areas. Have you picked up the MRI films or ordered a copy and a CD of the MRI? I've never had the tech show me or explain anything on the MRI.
When you visit your Dr. for the follow up ask them about what you saw.
Take Care
Teri

[tony]

Jack,
first of all thats coprrect T8 is in the thoracic area not lumbar. As far as imaging in concern all views are seen including looking at the spine from the top down. (imagine standing on top looking downwards.) In this angle, it it being visualized in slices per vertebra. Contrast enhances a tumor giving a more probable diagnosis.

Tony

[susan]

I don't think a standard MRI of the lumbar region includes the whole spine. That would take way longer than 35 minutes with and without contrast. They do catch the end of the adjacent spine, in your case the thoracic spine or your brain stem and thoracic spine when doing the cervical spine, although T8 is higher up.
It is really unusual and actually against most radiology department policies for a tech to show you your films or even hint at anything they saw. The staff radiologist doesn't even tell you. They usually call the physician who ordered the study. When I had my MRI, I had severe cervical cord compression but nobody mentioned it to me. The radiologist called my PCP, who had ordered the film and he called me before reached my car.
I would wait to hear from/or call the doctor that ordered the film.
You may have seen what is called artifact (interference). If the radiology report doesn't mention it, it may not have been clinically significant.
If you are worried, I would talk to whomever ordered the MRI. He/she may be able to explain what you saw. You might ask if your doctor thinks your symptoms are from your thoracic area if you are really worried. I had lumbar symptoms that were coming from my cervical spine. Symptoms can be caused my any level above that area.
Hope that helps

[Joel]

In all my years of getting MRI's, I have NEVER been able to get the technician to tell me ANYTHING. In your case, the technician was way out of line to be showing all this to you, but maybe this is a good thing. You now need to get your doc to call for another MRI of the entire spine, if you did not get an image of it this time. That would be the only way to confirm what the technician was showing you. The whole thing sounds very strange.

[susan]

With all due respect, the rule that techs are not supposed to tell you what they see is not just to cover the doctor's rear end, but is because they are not really qualified to do so, as evidenced by the fact that he told you you had a tumor and you didn't, causing you undue worry.
I am a nurse, I know what can happen. The surgeon doesn't always agree with the radiologist's reading, let alone a tech's reading. I personally would be leery of depending on what the tech was telling me. It is a sad commentary on the state of healthcare when the tech tells you more than the doctor or his nurse or assistant. We are really missing the boat. Any tech that tells you what he sees is risking his job, especially if he happens to tell you the wrong thing.

[Oscar Medina]

What's interesting to me is that you say "you saw a ball". Nothing else matters. You saw it and you should get your doctor to have another MRI done somewhere else or at the same place but with another technician. I certainly would! I remember when i saw my tumor for the first time. I can never forget. It was in the cervical C4-C7 and it looked like a peanut. Remember, it's your life.

Oscar

[susan]

Sorry Jack that you don't like nurses. I'm not asking you to like me, I just told you what the situation is. I'm not just a nurse, but I am a patient as well.
If you think all nurses worship doctors, you are sadly mistaken. I think sometimes people see what they want to see. I'll be the first one to tell you that doctors are human, just like us patients. They put their pants on one leg at a time. There are good ones and bad ones.
I am sorry that you distrust doctors and nurses, especially when you have a number of health issues. That would have to be really stressfull to not trust the people your life depends on. All I was saying, not just to you, but to everyone on this forum is that radiology techs are not qualified to interpret what your studies mean. Nor are them empowered by their employer to discuss it with you. Your doctor looks at not only the films, but also on your physical exam and your description of your symptoms. What the films read and what it means to you clinically may be two very different things.
I do wish you the best in your treatment. There is really no reason to be nasty when you don't like what a person says on this forum. I was only stating the reality of the situation. I don't set healthcare policy, I was just stating what it is. You may want to wear a seatbelt when you drive, but most state policies say you have to.
I really am sorry that the doctors and nurses you have encountered have let you down.