CT Scan instead of MRV

Rokkit · Post by **Rokkit** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:39 am

In another thread it is mentioned Dr Dake may be moving to CT Scan instead of MRV to diagnose CCSVI. About 10 months ago, I had a CT Scan of my skull area so a neurosurgeon could see all the arteries and such in the base of my skull in case he needed to operate on my skull (he did not end up needing to operate).

I don't know if there is a specific way to CT scan for CCSVI that Dr Dake would order, but I'm wondering if he could/would look at the scan I've already had. I guess it wouldn't show the azygous if it's further down the spine, but maybe it would reveal the problem with the jugulars? Anyone have a clue?

Rokkit

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:44 am

Dr Dake has been consulting those who have images to share. Unless he is getting to tied up w/ many all of us landing in Stanford I believe he will take a look. Email/call first.

mrhodes40 · Post by **mrhodes40** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:54 am

Here's the problem to have a CT to look at arteries is not the same necessarily as veins. You put in the dye and take the pitures of the thing you are looking at and not other stuff. So if you are looking at arteries that is what you have lit up. If every scan showed every artery and vein you'd have a terrible time making it out....

I am not an expert of course in this but there is a signficant amount of computing going on behind the scan we get the idea that if it is of your head then everything in the head is visible but that is not so. CT is computed tomography--the things that happen on the compute end have to do with what is being looked at and it makes all the difference. if they looked at veins too that's different of course.

Radiology is a complex field

CureOrBust · Post by **CureOrBust** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:59 am

I spoke with DR Dake, and he suggested the CT scan. He was really clear in emphasising that the radiologist understand it was the viens and not the arteries, and so there would be "more delay" applied. I am guessing this "delay" he spoke of is what is used to differentiate between the veins and arteries. I would also guess its the "delay" after the heart beat. But I am also talking about nothing i actually know about.

MaggieMae · Post by **MaggieMae** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:38 am

We should be asking our neurologist for a CT scan of the veins and not an MRV? My husband was scheduled for a MRV which we had to cancel because of his leg spasms. Before I reschedule, I want to get this right.

peekaboo · Post by **peekaboo** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:53 am

Dr D only gave me MRV's....I believe that CT scans are less expensive and are less dependent on the radiologists interpretation. There are examples of MRV's which I would suggest bring w/you to help the operator to find the veins...

This link can show you what a MRV looks like.

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content-nw/full/23/9/1500/F3