Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

My brain MRI was cancelled today due the tissue expanders i have. As soon as the tech put me in the tube, I felt a strong suction on my expanders. The tech didn't feel comfortable proceeding with the scan. It made sense that they reacted as i remember the plastic surgeon used a magnet to locate the port on those expanders.

Has anyone had similiar problem? It looks like i can't have any MRI as long as those expanders are in. I have expanders in both breasts and one of which will be removed due to local recurrence. Should i proceed with the reconstruction on the non cancerous side and have the implant exchanged? I am still debating if i should go flat on both sides. I did call my doctor if he could prescribe a brain CT instead.

The good thing is i will be on vacation without having to worry about the scan result :)

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

Yanyan,
I had a tissue expander in when my doc ordered a brain MRI, but they cancelled it as soon as they learned of the expander. I went ahead with a CT- and they were satisfied with that.

I remember thinking that they were going way overboard by denying me the MRI, now I know that it could have not been a nice experience.

Later, after my expander got infected and I got nasty cellulitis from it, they removed it and we gave up on reconstruction- in which case I now get my MRIs every 6 months.

No advice on what to do- someday I'd like to be symmetrical again, but I think I will have a future filled with scans so I'm not even thinking about it now.

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

Hi Kristen,
Thanks for your input. How is everything going with you? My onco is going to order a brain CT instead. The tech would have continued if i hadn't told him the funny suction feeling as soon as he put me in the tube. I am glad i did.

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

Yanyan,
I am good! Staying positive and even started jogging again- I figure I'll live long enough to see the benefit.

My brain MRI/CT's have all been fine- but we still get them every 6 months. Is that what your onc does too? Hope your CT goes well.
Kristin

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

I was told I couldn't have MRI because of the magnet in the tissue expanders. I haven't had any head scanning and my one said if I wanted it I could have a CT. So far I've decided not to as my current treatment wouldn't change and I have no symptoms.
My surgeon said it was day surgery to have the tissue expander removed if I wanted to so I could have an MRI.
Glad to hear you are doing well Kristin.

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

For my first MRI when I filled out the form I said I had had eye surgery to repair a detached retina. They didn't know exactly what material was used for the "scleral buckle," so they x-rayed my eye to determine whether or not it was metal. That made me wonder about the fillings in my teeth! But I've had one other MRI since then.

Re: Cancelled brain MRI due to tissue expanders
 

I feel like i have been having heaches,not bad headaches for still not very usual for me. I don't know if i am really having headches or it is just in my mind... you know what i mean :)
Brain scan is not a routine diagnostic procedure unless there are syptoms. but i remember what Paul said in another post that all with 3+ positive nodes should have a brain scan every 6 months. I am hoping i will have a clean scan.