Brain Talk or How to Make Sense of your MRI

Wow!  That is the most informative, understandable explanation of what an MRI on a person with MS might look like and what the narrative for that MRI means.  Thank you so much. I wish more doctors would take the time to sit and go through the MRI with their patients and give as thorough an explanation as you just did.  Wouldn't it be nice if every doctor's office had a staff member who sat in on visits with the patient and explained what the doctor said or what the tests meant and was able to make sure the doctor explained everything to the patient in terms he or she could understand.  Many of us bring someone to the visit with us, a family member or friend, but some of us don't have anyone to bring, and even if we do that person isn't  trained to work with the doctor and the doctor may not care for a stranger asking questions or explaining his remarks.

 But a person who is trained to work with the doctor, has built a relationship with the doctor, and has the doctor's permission to be there and ask questions could be a very valuable asset and make our office visits so much more informative and pleasant.  I hate leaving a doctor's office with more questions that when I got there, don't you?  Maybe this staff member could be called a Patient Advocate and each doctor could have one on staff who would have a good enough understanding of the specialty to be able to ask valuable questions.

 Perhaps that is your calling for a next life; start this profession, train professionals, and work with patients yourself. I bet you would be excellent at helping people with difficult diagnosis to learn how to make the best out of their doctor's visits. 

Thank you again!

Denise

I think I've had three MRI's in my life, two with contrast of some kind. One of the brain and one of the chest, one other for something. The huge difference between us is that I've no idea what the reports said, just that the doctor related, they didn't find anything, also a huge difference. Had there been, my interest would have been as great as yours; the human body is a miracle and a curse.

I'm not happy there were any symptoms for you in the first place.

I'll second, Denise, if I may, she made a great comment and an equally great suggestion. There is no end to the gifts you have, lesions or not. Thank you for this defining post.

WOW! THIS WAS A REALLY GREAT EXPLANATION OF AN MRI! THANK YOU. AND THIS SUBJECT IS ONE MOST OFTEN ASKED, BY PATIENTS TO THEIR NEUROLOGIST, TOO.

ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THOUGH, IS THAT *SOMETIMES* THE DYE USED FOR CONTRAST, CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY IF THE PATIENT HAS ALLERGIES. THE PATIENT SHOULD ALWAYS LET THE TECHS KNOW OF ANY ALLERGIES THEY HAVE, BEFORE PROCEEDING.

AGAIN, THANKS FOR A VERY WELL EXPLAINED DEFINITION OF AN MRI. SOMETHING MANY NEUROS ARE EVEN HESITANT TO DO, I'VE FOUND.

~GS~

Great job of providing useful information about an MRI. I wish with all the MRI's and Spinal Taps I have had leading up to diagnosis, that I would have had so much knowledge as you show in your article.

WOW! Thank you. That was a truly wonderful explanation complete with links for more information. Thank you again!

Now this is really helpful.  And thank you for the work of digging out what all this stuff means.  I suppose doctors have to be precise when they talk to one another, but it sure is difficult for me to know what they are talking about even when you have it in black and white.  I do wish there was a "patient's translation" required for every medical report that I ever read... again.. this is great.

There are two aspects of medicine.  One is the Technical side and the other is the People side. 

I think that all too often Doctors let the Technical side of medicine dominate their interactions with patients and they pay only minor attention to the People side of medicine.  Perhaps they are more comfortable being technicians than they are advisors and confidants to people.  Maybe that is reflective of their training as the training is geared mostly to the Technical side than to the People side.

Don't get me wrong, the Technical side is very very important.  No one wants a doctor who doesn't know what he is talking about.

But what I am saying is that the People side of medicine is just as important and should not be neglected.  If the doctor is right on, but can not communicate his findings results and recommendations to the patient, then what good is that?

For some time we have contracts that are in people readable form rather than in legalese.  Why not test results that are in people readable form? 

It is admirable that you have done research to find out what your test results mean, but you shouldn't have had to do this.  It should all be there for you spelled out in a way that you could easily understand!!!!

I think the medical profession is missing something important here and you have hit the nail right on the head.  I hope doctors read your article.  They can learn a lot from it!!!!

Hello there, I had my first MRI a year ago, after some symptoms while running and going thru many other tests.  The did my brain, neck, and overall spine.  It came back positive for white spots looking like lesions on my brain.  I then got a referal to a great neurologist at an ms clinic for further evaluation to see if I met the criteria, he ordered a number of other tests, including a spinal tap, visual, and an electrical test sort of (ECG?) (cannot remember the name now for response time of muscles from the brain), and to take geneology history.  The spinal tap and the ECG came back positive and this was enuf for an official diagnosis.  He then order a furhter MRI with gadolinium.  Overall, as I wanted to start treatment early the spinal tap though the headache was horrible was worth it as I got my diagnosis sooner, than waiting for the 2nd MRI.