I have an MRI scheduled Thursday to take second look at a complex ovarian cyst. It was discovered back in Sept. when I had a pelvic ultrasound to determine the size of uterine fibroids. Because it was a complex cyst, I also had a CA 125 test, which was slightly elevated. Had a follow-up CA 125 test last week, and it has risen some more since the first test, hence the MRI.
So what additional info is the MRI going to provide? I assume something beyond whether or not the cyst has changed size, because if that were the only issue, why not just order another ultrasound?
The MRI may help define and clarify the internal characteristics of the cyst (e.g. are there septae, i.e. walls of tissue dividing the cyst into smaller units, are the septae thick or thin). These characteristics can provide information regarding the potential that the cyst is cancerous. That being said, ovarian cysts are extremely common. On statistical grounds alone, any given one is most likely to be benign.
ETA: A CT scan can give similar information but delivers a massive dose of radiation while doing so.
MRI gives great images of water-containing tissue(s), and can help delineate things that Ultrasound can’t. The amount of detail (potentially) shown between US and MRI is tremendous. I’ve done MRI’s and US’s both for years (and most of the other imaging modalities), and US just does not have the resolution/details that MRI can give. CT scans are not that great comparatively for soft-tissue details no matter the amount of radiation used (CT requires density levels well above MRI as an example, and with what is being learned about ionizing-radiation damage(s) to persons, MRI should be the primary imaging modality for soft-tissue evaluation. MRI will also show/delineate tissues around the cyst area much more so than US and give a much larger field-of-view, so to speak (kind of a lay-of-the-land if you will).
Do be aware that (some of) the contrast used in MRI has been shown to cause kidney/other probs if the renal system is impaired, so if you have renal probs (high creat or such) be aware of the very real risks. I have seen places that were pretty careless (or not concerned at all) about screening the patients prior to using gadolinium (MRI contrast agent) and I want to make sure you know everything you should Not meant to sound scary, and chances are there is not a problem with you receiving the gado (if it is needed, that is). I have just seen too many Imaging Centers that left the exam-screening to the Ordering Doc who often is totally unaware and blissfully ignorant of ‘risks and contraindications’ of gadolinium used intravenously for imaging.
Good luck, and remember to hold still the best you can!
Thanks, both of you. That is very helpful info, and I’m going to call my doctor tomorrow to ask some additional questions before the procedure. Ionizer, I know they’re going to inject a contrast. I’m pretty sure I don’t have any renal issues, though.
Definitely not trying to alarm you (or anyone)…just saying is all I wanted to do. An MRI on a ‘complicated cyst’ is certainly well within ‘normal’ as far as diagnosing/treating pathology goes, and is LOTS safer physiologically than CT - as long as you don’t have any metal implants or tiny bits of metal in your body, of course. Plus, with MRI (or CT) you can manipulate the data after the exam to give ‘3D’ aspect that US usually cannot. Details, details, details… MRI does it best (for soft-tissues). You can likely get a CD or DVD with all your images should you and/or Ordering Doc wish to peruse your innards (no idea if that place will do that for ya, but most will nowadays). The disk will usually have a program included upon the disk to view the images on most any computer as well, fwiw.
Chances are the gado injection will give you a funky taste/smell for a few seconds and maybe kind of a ‘warm/flushed’ feeling. YMMV on that, and nothing frightful or dangerous - just a bit ‘different’ as the contrast goes through ya. I have had some ladies tell me they kinda felt like they peed themselves (but nowhere near as much as a CT injection does, or so I have been told many, many times after the exam). I also have never seen an allergic reaction to gado (though it does happen) despite injecting it 10-15 times/day for a few years. Can’t say that for the X-ray contrast (iodine-based stuff). IME, gado is pretty safe overall - as long as the kidneys get it out of you like they should.
I feel like an idiot - just realized the link I gave above was for a law-firm. Sooooo sorry about that! I just saw that the info was mostly correct as far as gadolinium goes from what I have learned from multiple credible sources. Easily googled (here’s a better link for one type of gado) - but I am very tired atm or I would list more. I hope I am not laughed/cursed at too much for giving such a link without looking closer at it. I’ll blame my current headache, I guess.
Not meant to sound scary, and chances are there is not a problem with you receiving the gado (if it is needed, that is). I have just seen too many Imaging Centers that left the exam-screening to the Ordering Doc who often is totally unaware and blissfully ignorant of ‘risks and contraindications’ of gadolinium used intravenously for imaging.
An MRI on a ‘complicated cyst’ is certainly well within ‘normal’ as far as diagnosing/treating pathology goes, and is LOTS safer physiologically than CT - as long as you don’t have any metal implants or tiny bits of metal in your body, of course. Plus, with MRI (or CT) you can manipulate the data after the exam to give ‘3D’ aspect that US usually cannot. Details, details, details… MRI does it best (for soft-tissues). You can likely get a CD or DVD with all your images should you and/or Ordering Doc wish to peruse your innards (no idea if that place will do that for ya, but most will nowadays). The disk will usually have a program included upon the disk to view the images on most any computer as well, fwiw.