Pelvic MRI scan?

[Badtummy4]

Hi, so I'm having a pelvic MRI scan and I don't really know why. Has anyone else had one, I was diagnosed with crohns about two weeks ago.

I really don't know what to expect, do you get your results straight away after an MRI scan or do you have to wait?

I'm just a bit confused really because nobody has ever mentioned having one and I just got a letter saying I have one on the 4th of September

Any answers would be great!:heart::heart:

 

[MissLeopard83]

Hi, so I'm having a pelvic MRI scan and I don't really know why. Has anyone else had one, I was diagnosed with crohns about two weeks ago.

I really don't know what to expect, do you get your results straight away after an MRI scan or do you have to wait?

I'm just a bit confused really because nobody has ever mentioned having one and I just got a letter saying I have one on the 4th of September

Any answers would be great!:heart::heart:

I had a CTE last week which is similar to the MRE, but there is radiation involved in the CT. The scan looks for inflammation in your small intestine and other places a typical scope procedure cannot reach. I assume they are looking for Crohn's further up in your intestinal tract.

As for the results, you usually have to wait because a radiology tech typically does the scan and is not qualified to read the results so a radiologist is assigned to read the scan and should forward the results to your GI within 1-2 weeks.

If you were not notified of the scan in person, you could call your GI office to make sure this is your scan as I was told I was going to have a delayed gastric emptying test by the scheduler, but the doctor did not order one for me. It turned out that it was assigned to another person but put under my name. I told the scheduler it was incorrect. You have a right to question these things - especially since you will be responsible for any co-pay or deductible.

 

[DustyKat]

As MissLeopard83 has said, the difference between CT’s and MRI’s is how the images are obtained. CT is radiation, MR is magnetic. No radiation is preferable but the trade off is the length of time the actual procedure takes, a CT takes a few minutes whereas an MRI takes 30-45 minutes.

The reason imaging is done is so the specialist can see the areas a scope can’t. This includes the majority of the small bowel and all areas of the abdominal cavity outside the bowel. I imagine the reason they have specified a pelvic MRI is that your disease is located in the lower large bowel/anal area? If this is the case what they would be looking for is complications that may be present beyond the bowel wall such as infection and abscess. It is normal during the diagnostic process to proceed with imaging if scoping and other tests prove positive for conditions such as IBD.

The availability of results depends on where you live. In Australia results will be sent to the referring doctor later the same day, if the scan is done in the morning, or at the latest the next day. You won’t get the results from the radiographer there and then as a radiologist needs to review the films and prepare a report.

 

[momofzach]

I had an MRI recently, because they thought they saw a fistula on the CT scan. Luckily, it was just thickening of the wall and active Crohn's. I had to drink contrast for an hour, and the scan lasted 45 minutes. If you are the least bit claustrophobic, ask your GI for medication! They had to cover my eyes, and my husband had to hold my hand- it was miserable! Next time I will be medicated- good luck!

 

[momofzach]

I got my results within a week...forgot to mention that~

 

[purdueCrohns]

These tests are painless. I had one recently. My guess is they're looking to see if there is fistulizing disease. Nothing to be scared of!

 

[purdueCrohns]

A fistula is a connection between the colon and something else. A percentage of Crohn's patients get fistulas. They're treatable, but they're not always easy to see.