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Cirrhosis Forums › General & Support › What are Docs looking for on MRI & Ultrasound?
04/17/2012 07:39 PM
ruth8890
ruth8890
 
Posts: 1158
Senior Member
Hep and GI have me scheduled for abdominal MRI and Ultrasound, alternating each every 6 months, and I'm curious - what exactly are the Docs looking for? Cancer tumor markers? liver/spleen size? ascites? What else? I thought I knew, but several posts have got me wondering "specificaly" what the Docs are looking for? Thanks, Ru

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/17/2012 07:58 PM

Remember this: "HOPE is a good thing. Maybe the best of things" (from the move Shawshank Redemption). There's ALWAYS hope!

My Dad: "Remember, it's always Darkest before the Dawn"

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04/17/2012 09:06 PM  Top
mikealpha1
mikealpha1
 
Posts: 2021
Group Leader
That's for tracking the progression of cirrhosis, looking for lesions, basically anything out of the ordinary that needs to be followed up on. Following your case and your prognosis, they are being proactive to catch any changes. It's a good thing. MRI is probably the best non-invasive test.
Peace be with you,

Mike

04/18/2012 06:32 AM  Top
ruth8890
ruth8890
 
Posts: 1158
Senior Member
Mike - question: do the MRI's and U/S's PLUS the AFP lab (mine went from 2.5 in Jan to 2.0 now) = checking for liver cancer tumors? Or is the AFP the MOST specific for that and the MRI's and U/S's look for any abnormalities? Ru

NOTE: AFP = Alpha Feta Protein - Serum Tumor Marker

Post edited by: ruth8890, at: 04/18/2012 06:32 AM

Remember this: "HOPE is a good thing. Maybe the best of things" (from the move Shawshank Redemption). There's ALWAYS hope!

My Dad: "Remember, it's always Darkest before the Dawn"

NOTE: for those who don't know, if you click on a member's Moniker it'll shoot you to their profile and you can get to know more about the person behind the unique avatars.

04/18/2012 12:31 PM  Top
hepatomegaly
hepatomegaly
 
Posts: 494
Member
I agree with Mike b/c my hepa ordered an US right after my elevation of AFP in December.
"...I am so fearfully and wonderfully made." - Ps 139:14

Anita

04/18/2012 01:29 PM  Top
mikealpha1
mikealpha1
 
Posts: 2021
Group Leader
@RU, it doesn't really matter the test, since you have liver disease there is always the chance that it develop in to cancer, so the will monitor for that. They are also monitoring changes in the liver and other abdominal organs.
Peace be with you,

Mike

04/18/2012 01:51 PM  Top
hepatomegaly
hepatomegaly
 
Posts: 494
Member
Thanks, Mike. I was wondering if it could also visualize the pancreas.
"...I am so fearfully and wonderfully made." - Ps 139:14

Anita

04/18/2012 02:07 PM  Top
ruth8890
ruth8890
 
Posts: 1158
Senior Member
Thanks Mike! This was with AND without contrast. Not a major thing just a little more complicated than the one before. Ru
Remember this: "HOPE is a good thing. Maybe the best of things" (from the move Shawshank Redemption). There's ALWAYS hope!

My Dad: "Remember, it's always Darkest before the Dawn"

NOTE: for those who don't know, if you click on a member's Moniker it'll shoot you to their profile and you can get to know more about the person behind the unique avatars.

04/18/2012 08:02 PM  Top
sammy566
sammy566
 
Posts: 300
Member
Ruth,

I have had the MRI's done 6 times already.

In the MRI's they look for the cirrhotic configuration of the liver, that way they can track changes from test to test.

They also check for portasystemic varices.

They check for any lesion that may suggest cancer, as the earlier is caught the chances of treating it are better.

They check the size of your spleen, and usually compare it from test to test.

They check for distension of the gallbladder, bile duct dilatation and look at the pancreas for changes and lesions.

Finally they look at your kidneys for size ans symmetry, they check the abdominal aorta and vena cava and end by checking for ascites.

Hope this answers your question.

I bet you are sorry you asked.

Sammy.

04/18/2012 09:11 PM  Top
ruth8890
ruth8890
 
Posts: 1158
Senior Member
Perfect Sammy - thanks for lising them as you did! Ru
Remember this: "HOPE is a good thing. Maybe the best of things" (from the move Shawshank Redemption). There's ALWAYS hope!

My Dad: "Remember, it's always Darkest before the Dawn"

NOTE: for those who don't know, if you click on a member's Moniker it'll shoot you to their profile and you can get to know more about the person behind the unique avatars.
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Health Topics: MRI and Ultrasound
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