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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> MRI vs. MRA
        
(Message started by: DJ on May 27^th, 2003, 1:16pm)

Title: MRI vs. MRA
Post by DJ on May 27^th, 2003, 1:16pm

The standard tests ordered by Dr's with those of us with severe headaches are CAT scans and MRI's.

How many of us have had an MRA along with an MRI instead of just the "normal" MRI?

How many people know the difference between an MRI and an MRA?

Curious.......

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by catlind on May 27^th, 2003, 1:22pm

Magnetic resonance angiogram no?

The difference is that MRI is merely an image of the brain in layers, and an MRA is an actual picture of the vessels and arteries in the brain isn't it?

I have not had an MRA. Multiple MRI's, multiple CT scans, and even when the diagnosis was temporal arteritis or vasculitis, they still did not do an MRA.

I do not know however, what the difference would show between MRI and MRA with specific regards to CH.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has had their sed rates tested DURING a CH, and if so, were they elevated. I had elevated sed rates (77, with normal being 1-20) but ONLY during an actual attack.

Cat

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by cbolony on May 27^th, 2003, 1:33pm

DJ have never heard of a mra i only had cat scans done ??? ???

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by cathy on May 27^th, 2003, 1:47pm

Well I wasn't sure either what the difference was but found this link...

http://www.mialodestone.co.uk/mrimra.htm

Cathy

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by don on May 27^th, 2003, 1:49pm

I've had the cerebal angiogram done. Same thing?

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by jonny on May 27^th, 2003, 2:58pm

Had a MRI on me head and on me lower back but never had a MRA

.................................jonny

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by oringkid on May 27^th, 2003, 3:06pm

I only ever had the MRI. But have heard of MRA lately. I have a cousin that is a radiologist and he does MRI's. I will see if he has done MRA's...kinda doubt it cuz you have to go to a school for each of the pieces of equipment. But, he might be able to send me some pics.

He has sent me some really cool MRI's! They can do those in 3D Awesome looking stuff!

How ya doin DJ?

Sherry

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by 9erfan on May 27^th, 2003, 3:13pm

Hey DJ!

Glad to see you on the board! Hope that zipperhead of yours is doing well!

Done the MRI, never heard of MRA. But if it requires you to get in the same small tunnel as the MRI...count me out! :o

Virginia

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by oringkid on May 27^th, 2003, 3:24pm

AH! Thanks Cathy! This really caught my eye:

Quote:

Some scans are able to show flow in the vessels without using any contrast agent injections. For these procedures the patient will simply be asked to lie very still for the duration of the scan.

When I had my MRI done, they wanted to do it without and with contrast.... I could not deal with being in that "little tunnel" as V put it. I had a terrible anxiety attack and told them to "GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!!" LOL.
(Didn't know it at the time but my voice was on an intercom that went out to the interior waiting room and my husband and daughter heard me! how embarassing) So, I didn't get the one with the contrast done.
Swore I would NEVER have that done again unless they either gave me some xanax, put me out, or I could try the open sided MRI. Wish they had had MRA back then!

Sherry

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by Marc on May 27^th, 2003, 3:26pm

DJ,

Some of us were talking about MRI/MRA on the Medications board last week. And, yes I had an MRA after the MRI came up clean. My Neuro said she was looking for blockages - came up clean also.

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1053467921

I'm willing to bet that you've had several with your Moyamoya.

Nice to see you posting!

Marc

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by Ree on May 27^th, 2003, 5:26pm

Is that the one with the dye that they inject into your veins that is so cold it freezes your brain... I had that one and a few of the others... but oh ya I dont count I have Migraines... If that isnt an MRA we dont know what one is...

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by 2late on May 27^th, 2003, 5:53pm

when i had my mri on my head they said with and without contrast,halfway thru they pulled me out gave me a shot & put me back in, same thing? ...........Jack

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by Charlie on May 28^th, 2003, 12:50am

Interesting. Learn something every year or so.

Never had any tests for CH. Neurologist (in 1969) told me, "Ah, you're having cluster headaches." Even had a little brochure on his desk. Didn't do a thing for them of course. Cafergot was useless. Much later, I learned the technique........

Sorry. Got off topic. Good to hear for you though. Stick around. We need you for fodder. :D

Charlie

Title: Re: MRI vs. MRA
Post by OneEyeBlind on May 28^th, 2003, 4:30am

Had both done at the same time. Both requested by my neuro. Talk about a long time in the shoot !!!!!!!!!! Yikes, claustrophobia !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!