Interesting article regarding mpMRI (with contrast) vs. bpMRI (without contrast). I have had three MRIs total in the last five years. The first two were mpMRI, the my doc switched the third one to bpMRI. I was concerned about that, but he mentioned the bpMRI gives him all the information he needs. Now, I have another MRI to schedule for this coming October and he wants to switch back to mpMRI??? His reasoning was that he likes to use contrast "on every other MRI". Seems strange to me. I may just tell him I want the bp MRI again so as to avoid the contrast.
Seems strange to me. Do you get claustrophobic? Are you concerned with gad? Well, egads, doesn't that make the choice for you? For years, we low-risk patients have been told that our MRIs don't need require contratst. HW
lets hope that the new ultrasound technology will help put the need for the MRI to rest, get the procedure back into the urologist office where it belongs. Of course ghost reading will be helpful since most GU's have little or no training in reading the ultrasound!!
I personally have no intention of having my P-gland removed under any foreseeable circumstance (I'm 71). Imaging is the key, and frankly, micro-U/S blows MRI out of the water on so many, many fronts. Yeah, there's the 'where it takes place' issue, but at some point you have to man-up and accept the inevitable. When (and if) my PCa get's noticeable, I will do focal of some sort. In the interim, and this is de rigeur for men on AS, diet+supplements to 1) shrink the gland (BPH) and 2) bolster the immune system. At some point, and it could be a decade or more off, a rogue cell might get loose and cause issues...then there is radiation and chemo, or just wait for a comorbidity to take me out. It's a continuing fight, Mother Nature has always favored her girls over us boys when it comes to longevity.
Interesting article regarding mpMRI (with contrast) vs. bpMRI (without contrast). I have had three MRIs total in the last five years. The first two were mpMRI, the my doc switched the third one to bpMRI. I was concerned about that, but he mentioned the bpMRI gives him all the information he needs. Now, I have another MRI to schedule for this coming October and he wants to switch back to mpMRI??? His reasoning was that he likes to use contrast "on every other MRI". Seems strange to me. I may just tell him I want the bp MRI again so as to avoid the contrast.
Seems strange to me. Do you get claustrophobic? Are you concerned with gad? Well, egads, doesn't that make the choice for you? For years, we low-risk patients have been told that our MRIs don't need require contratst. HW
lets hope that the new ultrasound technology will help put the need for the MRI to rest, get the procedure back into the urologist office where it belongs. Of course ghost reading will be helpful since most GU's have little or no training in reading the ultrasound!!
I personally have no intention of having my P-gland removed under any foreseeable circumstance (I'm 71). Imaging is the key, and frankly, micro-U/S blows MRI out of the water on so many, many fronts. Yeah, there's the 'where it takes place' issue, but at some point you have to man-up and accept the inevitable. When (and if) my PCa get's noticeable, I will do focal of some sort. In the interim, and this is de rigeur for men on AS, diet+supplements to 1) shrink the gland (BPH) and 2) bolster the immune system. At some point, and it could be a decade or more off, a rogue cell might get loose and cause issues...then there is radiation and chemo, or just wait for a comorbidity to take me out. It's a continuing fight, Mother Nature has always favored her girls over us boys when it comes to longevity.
Thanks old-timer. Howard
Just realized the conundrum: inner space (micro U/S) or outer space (MRI). Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
I think this could come down to economics. We've been shown that the results of MRI and micro-US are comparable.
The price isn't. Multiparametic MRIs can cost up to $3,000. Plus $1 million in maintenence/year?
Any type of ultrasound I think is up to $250.
Which bill looks more attractive to a biller?
Howard