MRI Scan - Is Full Body Scan Worthwhile?

[dsfbrit]

I am going into hospital to have a hip operation. Whilst I am there recovering I thought I may as well have some other check-ups carried out. I would like an MRI scan to see if there are any problems anywhere. My questions are these:-

1. Will a full body scan be the same quality as a local scan. For example, I have a twinge in my knee from playing football (soccer). If I have the full body MRI scan, will it show as much detail as if I had just a localised knee scan, or would an MRI knee scan on its own in the knee area give much more detail ???

2. How long does a full body scan take? I have read that people say from 20 minutes to an hour. I don't think I am claustrophobic, however, I did not like scuba diving (is that claustrophobia?), but normally I think I am OK in small spaces. I am not sure how I would feel in an MRI machine if the full scan lasted an hour!!!

Thanks for your thoughts.

Edited September 25, 2013 by dsfbrit

[NeverSure]

Someone else will need to answer some of your questions. There is MRI, CT scan, x-ray, and each has its place depending on what they need to see. For instance your knee might just need an x-ray, I don't know.

I just had an MRI of my head only, for a detailed look at my brain. It took about 45 minutes actually in the machine. About 3/4 of the way through they injected a "dye" into a vein in my arm for contrast, I think. I've had several such MRI's and that time-frame is typical.

I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. I think you'd have to have it pretty bad to get that. The machine is like a tube, but usually open on both ends and not far from your head is one end. If I had panicked I could have pulled myself out of the machine feet first, for sure.

HERE are some pictures of some of the machines. You get onto that "cot" and they slide you in.

You won't believe how many different strange noises that machine can make, changing without warning and some are banging and clanging. But they give you headphones and it's not too loud. It's just different.

[Sceptict11]

Prior to undergoing your hip surgery a full physical examination will be undertaken .

This will be combined with an ECG (electrocardiogram) and a range of blood tests which will include a full blood count and other investigations such as blood chemistry.

It is very rare for a whole body scan to be indicated on clinical grounds.

If you have other issues apart from the hip mention these to the medical staff and they will advise what is required.

[NeverSure]

I forgot to say that they always ask me in advance if I'm claustrophobic and I always say no. I think if I said yes they would give me a mild sedative or tranquilizer. I'm not sure.

[Sheryl]

a full body scan in the absence of specific symptoms is not indicated and a huge waste of money.

will also take a LOT longer than 45 minutes.

How would yo ueven decide whether to have contrast media or not, given no specific symptoms (i.e. no idea what yo uare looking for)

MRI is not a tool that can find "everything" that is wrong.

[dsfbrit]

Neversure and Sceptic, thanks for the feedback.

Neversure, I hope the scan went well.

Sceptic, I have had the other hip resurfaced so am 'up to speed' on the pre-op checks etc... last time after the operation, I was in hospital for 7 days and thought that this time, whilst I am there with nothing better to do, I could get some other medical 'work' done.

I did quite a lot of reading about the differences between CT-scans, MRI-scans, ultrasound and X-rays and overall, I thought an MRI scan would be the best option, a good start, to see if there are any problems in my body in general.

I also thought of having my teeth done, a full check up and I need a cap refitted as well.

Although, I have read that having dental work carried out is frowned upon as it could infect the operation - not sure if that is true or not?

To be honest, I simply thought that whilst I am in hospital with nothing to do for a week, that I could use it as an opportunity to at least have a full check up.

Also as an MRI may need the 'contrast' fluid injection and I will already have an intravenous drip in my arm, then I would avoid having to have another injection - I hate needles!!!

One other thing, the hip operation is being carried at a good quality hospital by a top class surgeon in India. The costs of all medical procedures are cheaper over there compared to here in Thailand.

Another good reason to have medical work done whilst I am there.

Edited September 25, 2013 by dsfbrit

[dsfbrit]

Sheryl,

Thanks for your reply.

I thought with a full body MRI scan then it would show if I had problems in any part of my body. It sounds like that is not the case and it needs to be used more as a 'targeted' tool. So if I think my knee has a problem, then see a doctor and have a scan on that area, or if like Neversure, a targeted analysis of the brain.

It is interesting, because these full body scans are offered and yet I could not decide if they were useful or not, It seemed odd to me that a friend of mine had an MRI for her back and it took about 45 minutes, just for her back. Yet a full body scan would take just 40 minutes. I could not understand how that could be the case, unless the equipment ran faster and with less detail.

As Sceptic suggested, I will see what the pre-op tests reveal and go from there. I wont be booking a full MRI scan that's for sure.

Thanks again for the feedback.

[FBN]

You may be confusing this with a bone density scan: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003833.htm

[dsfbrit]

FBN, thanks for the reply and the link.

No, I am not confusing a full MRI body scan with this. Full MRI body scans are carried out on a lot of people, my question really was how useful are they. The more I read about them, the more I was suspicious that it may be a bit of a waste of time and money. If not a complete waste of time, then very misleading.

This thread has convinced me not to go ahead with one anyway - so it has been most useful. Thanks a lot.

ps:

Here is a link to one of the adverts typical of these 'Wellness MRI Body Scans' - there are many more like this - like I say, I was sceptical about its claims anyway and won't be booking one anywhere soon!!

http://www.pacificinterventional.com/fullbodywellnessmri.html

Edited September 25, 2013 by dsfbrit

[Sceptict11]

FBN, thanks for the reply and the link.

No, I am not confusing a full MRI body scan with this. Full MRI body scans are carried out on a lot of people, my question really was how useful are they. The more I read about them, the more I was suspicious that it may be a bit of a waste of time and money. If not a complete waste of time, then very misleading.

This thread has convinced me not to go ahead with one anyway - so it has been most useful. Thanks a lot.

ps:

Here is a link to one of the adverts typical of these 'Wellness MRI Body Scans' - there are many more like this - like I say, I was sceptical about its claims anyway and won't be booking one anywhere soon!!

http://www.pacificinterventional.com/fullbodywellnessmri.html

These organisations cater to the "worried well" and basically are "scams"

Differing areas of the body require different imaging techniques there is not "a one size fits all" type of scan.

Often these organizations will "discover" the need for a more focused (and of course expensive) follow up scan !

Do not get hooked !

If interested go here !

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-06-23/health/ct-met-heart-check--20110623_1_scans-heart-disease-electron-beam-tomography/2

[dsfbrit]

Sadly Sceptict, my dealings with the private medical system over the last few years has been slightly worse than trying to buy a second hand car. I feel though that the internet and sites like TV are great for separating the truth from the rest of the nonsense.

Thanks again for your comments.

Edited September 25, 2013 by dsfbrit