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MRI vs, Contrast MRI

Fri, 09/15/2006 - 15:45
HI, My daughter had a MRI a few weeks ago. They said it came back normal. However, they did a regular MRI. I have heard that a contrast MRI would have been better. Which one is commonly done for seizures, and should I be concerned that she did not have a contrast done? Lori

Comments

Re: MRI vs, Contrast MRI

Submitted by groovyjoker on Fri, 2006-09-15 - 17:12
They have not recommended a SPECT or PET scan? The MRIs that I had did not show enough detail, and I had to return for more detailed scanning. I think I remember these three scans providing details my doctors needed, but I have more than one area in my brain causing seizures: The SPECT scans looked at blood flow to the brain, the hypothesis being the areas of decreased flow would be damaged indicated origins of seizures (potential origins). A CAT or CT scan is a nice, 3-D Xray of the brain. The PET scan is simliar to the CAT scan, and can show shape and functions of the brain.

Thanks for the info. We are

Submitted by jmccand on Fri, 2006-09-15 - 18:33
Thanks for the info. We are really just getting started on all of this. My daughter was diagnosed in July, but I know that she was having seizues for a while, we just did not know that is what it was. She had an EEG that indicated generalized epilepsy. Her MRI came back normal. She is scheduled for a video EEG in 1 1/2 weeks. We have already tried 2 medicines. Keppra immediately made her worse, we stuck it out for 1 month, and she just could not function on it. Now she is on Depakote, but is still having breakthrough simple partials, even though her blood work shows therapeutic levels. She has a doctors appointment Monday. I will ask about some of these other tests. Lori

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