Best Test to determine Stroke – MRI Vs CT scan

Best Test to determine Stroke - MRI Vs CT scan

Posted by twheeier10 @twheeier10, Nov 19, 2020

I am in emergency in San Diego and the only symptom is severe Dizziness and Nausea when I stand up. So severe I lose my balance and cannot walk without help.
All other tests for stroke are normal. I am waiting on results of CT scan with Iodine injection. Any feedback would be helpful. My 1st post and no past medical history. Age 79 and take no meds for last 8 yrs. Clean & Sober for 36 yrs. No Smoking for 32 years.

Erika, Connect Moderator | @erikas | Nov 19, 2020

@twheeier10 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are in the emergency department (ED) at this time and all tests so far do not point to stroke as a cause of your symptoms. Did I get that right? There are many reasons that one can have dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance. Do your providers think that it is a stroke?

twheeier10 | @twheeier10 | Nov 19, 2020

Good Morning Erica: You got that right. I have been in ER at UCSD since 3pm yesterday. No vacant rooms in hospital, so I spent all night in emergency. Drs are not sure it is a stroke…….they gave me a CT scan last night. Just met with Neurologist and CT scan showed thatno stroke symptoms. My feeling were that an MRI shold have been ordered 1st and that why I posted. They have now otdered an MRI with contrast plus an Echocardigram and it looks like I might get a room shortly. Thanks for any feedback. I wouls love any info on other possible causes of my symptons. I thought I has food poisioning.

1 Like

feelingthankful | @feelingthankful | Nov 23, 2020

In reply to @twheeier10 "Good Morning Erica: You got that right. I have been in ER at UCSD since 3pm..." + (show)

For lacunar strokes of Thalmus, MRI is better at seeing small strokes but it is normal for them to scan with CT first. Sometimes CT shows nothing and MRI sees it clearly. See URL. Hope you are doing well.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5857010/

twheeier10 | @twheeier10 | Nov 23, 2020

Thanks feelingthankful for your post re MRI vs CT Scan for people with Stroke symptoms. I am Truly Blessed to be getting much better after my 2 days in the hospital at UCSD Hillcrest Medical Center in San Diego where this 79 year old was diagnosed with a TIA and tests by both CT & MRI showed no stroke signs.
As a safety measure, Drs. put me on a baby aspirin, a dizziness med and Lipitor to bring down my cholesterol level. God Bless all those that may be suffering from stroke symptoms. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

feelingthankful | @feelingthankful | Nov 23, 2020

Ok be super careful to follow their instructions on reducing risk factors if you had a TIA because I believe a stroke can often follow if you are not (and you don’t want one of course). I see that you did not get blood pressure meds, make sure it is controlled of course. Good luck.

trixie1313 | @trixie1313 | Feb 19 2:26pm

In reply to @twheeier10 "Good Morning Erica: You got that right. I have been in ER at UCSD since 3pm..." + (show)

@twheeier10
I had a right-sided thalamic stroke; my right arm and leg were like cement, but speech was fairly decent. ED doctors ordered a CT but it did not show the stroke and then sent me next for an MRI which did show it. When I asked why it wasn't on CT, it was explained to me that sometimes it does not show up until about a week after with a CT and sow MRI is more reliable.