MRI

Dear Dr Nagler,

Thank you for answering my previous question. I have a question regarding MRI.
I have been asked to undergo an MRI by my ENT. Is this a normal MRI of the brain? Are there different MRIs options available for brain because I read somewhere on the forum that if you go for a normal MRI, it might exaggerate the T due to load noise and one should go for this specific MRI (I don't remember what that specific MRI is known as).

Thank you.

 

When an ENT orders an MRI as part of a tinnitus work-up, the ENT is usually looking to rule out an acoustic neuroma, which is a (relatively rare) benign tumor located in the region of the CPA (cerebello-pontine angle). There are also some (even rarer) brain lesions that might as well be ruled out as long as the study is being performed to look for the acoustic neuroma - but by the time a brain lesion causes tinnitus, it will likely already have been diagnosed because of other more impressive symptoms. That said, the specific study to be requested is "MRI of the brain and IACs with and without gadolinium for tinnitus evaluation." I would not opt out of the gadolinium (contrast) part of the study unless you have a truly compelling reason for doing so.

The type of MRI machine itself can vary with the technology available, accuracy being the primary concern in my opinion. You should always use earplugs regardless of whether it is a closed MRI or an open MRI.

Dr. Stephen Nagler