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Reply With QuoteKatie,
I not absolutely sure, but I believe that you get no harmful radiation from having an MRI.
Here are some links.
Magnetic resonance imaging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.hps.org/documents/meddiagimaging.pdf
This is a discussion on MRIs and Radiation Levels within the Diagnostic Tests & Spinal Injections forums, part of the General Spine Discussion Forums category; Not so long ago, there was a news report saying that contrary to previous beliefs, MRIs are equal to about ...
MRIs and Radiation Levels Not so long ago, there was a news report saying that contrary to previous beliefs, MRIs are equal to about 400 normal X-Rays. That seems to be a massive amount of radiation when you start adding up how many most of us spine patients have.
I've had four I think, plus numerous X-Rays, including countless dental images. Eeesh. My husband's reaction? Well, good thing you've had all your children by now
Has anyone else seen this and have any concerns? Should we be more conservative about the number of images we request?
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things. Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!
Re: MRIs and Radiation Levels Katie,
I not absolutely sure, but I believe that you get no harmful radiation from having an MRI.
Here are some links.
Magnetic resonance imaging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://www.hps.org/documents/meddiagimaging.pdf
Last edited by Dave; 01-08-2010 at 04:33 PM.
Dave
Diagnosed with DDD in Nov, 2007. MRI, EMG
C3/4 C4/5 C5/6 C6/7
Surgery 06.04.08--C5/6 and C6/7 w/Prodisc
C4/5 deterioration progressing quickly
MRI on lumbar shows disc herniation at L5/S1, stenosis at L3/4, L4/5, spondylosis and DDD at L2 through S1 in July, 2009
Nerve Root, Facet Injections and Epidural every 3 months. Ongoing treatment for continued degeneration.
Re: MRIs and Radiation Levels Hi Katie, I think you are thinking about CT Scans and not MRIs, as no radiation is emitted during an MRI scan.Originally Posted by Katie
Not so long ago, there was a news report saying that contrary to previous beliefs, MRIs are equal to about 400 normal X-Rays. That seems to be a massive amount of radiation when you start adding up how many most of us spine patients have.
I've had four I think, plus numerous X-Rays, including countless dental images. Eeesh. My husband's reaction? Well, good thing you've had all your children by now
Has anyone else seen this and have any concerns? Should we be more conservative about the number of images we request?
CT scans give doctors a view inside the body, often eliminating the need for exploratory surgery. But CT scans involve much higher radiation dose than conventional X-rays. A chest CT scan exposes the patient to more than 100 times the radiation dose of a chest X-ray. Radiation from CT scans may raise cancer risks
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997, 17 years old: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003, 23 years old: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009, 29 years old: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: MRIs and Radiation Levels Ah, thanks. Of course I would have it backwards! And I had the number wrong too, I see. It is 100 times worse, not 400. Thanks for sorting out my errors.
Either way, I was quite surprised that they could be doing these for so long without realizing how wrong they are about the levels of radiation.
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things
Re: MRIs and Radiation Levels Dental x-rays are also a big source of radiation that most don't think about. I aways ask for a lead apron and thyroid cover when getting dental x-rays.
Low back pain became somewhat dehabilitating in 2005
Have had 11 steroid injections, IDET, Trial for nerve stimulator, PT, chiropractic trial, practically every med known to mankind. Discogram indicated three diseased levels with L5-S1 being the most likely pain generator. Post minimally invasive PLIF with internal fixation (titanium) on 12-28-09 of L5-S1. Doing better than expected. Last opioid 7/9/10. Five months pain free, then my neck turned against me. MRI on 12/1/10-- disease at C2 to C7. Only surgical alternative is to fuse entire C-spine. Diagnosed now with Aggressive Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with cord & brainstem active lesions
Re: MRIs and Radiation Levels They are quite often doing that now Jack, at least up here. But it could be that I just notice it with my son-in-law who recently graduated from dental school. Maybe the new generation are taking it more seriously.
I heard it mentioned that the new airport scans are now giving us another tiny dose. Minimal, but it all adds up over the years.
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things
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