Does Radiology compare a bone scan to MRI for results?

katp · Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

I am in desperate need of an answer and my primary care doctor isn't helping. I had xrays and an MRI of my lumbar spine because I was interested in knowing how bad my degenerative disc and joint disease had progressed. The radiologist found on my MRI "an abnormal lesion with decreased signal intensity on both T1 and T2-weighted imaging involving the right iliac wing measuring 9mm" and another lesion "involving the L4 vertebral body measuring 6mm. The lesions are indeterminate for possible neoplastic process and further workup with contrasted imaging or a bone scan is suggested".

I had the bone scan done and the finding was based on comparison of my plain film which noted "degenerative changes involving the right hip." There was no mention of the lesions or my MRI. My primary care doctor said that radiology does not compare an MRI with a bone scan. Is this true?

I would like to know what these lesions are but have nowhere to turn. Can you please help???

Many thanks.

papa · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

if they are not automatically compared, you can have your doctor ask to have them compared. sometimes, (not 100 % sure about this) studies can't be compared together simply because of the difference in images.

bone scans i know look for chemical uptake in bones, or decreased density in bones (not sure, i'm a ct tech, not a nukes tech or radiologist) and mri can look at many things.

if your physician can not explain it to you, then i personally would ask to speak to a radiologist about the differences in studies, and if they can actually be compared.

papa rtrct
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