Contrast CT scan or contrast MRI

I am a former health care worker. I found out I had HepC in 1991. I've tried interferon in 5 different regimes. The last with riboviron and albuferon. I'm a chronic non-responder. I have had three biopsies. The last biopsy was about 5 years ago and showed just the beginnings of chirrosis.

Recently my alpha fetoprotein went from 8 to 21. Ultrasound was negative for liver and testes. MD ordered CT w/ contrast. Results pending. I was wondering about CT vs MRI. In my readings it seems that MRI (extra-cellular gadolinium chelate contrast enhanced MRI ) is the preferred imaging technique.

I also have hemachromatosis and my hematologist is the one who ran my AFP test but she went on vacation for a month and another doctor in her practice is now directing my case. I've never met him but he order up the Ultra sounds and the CT.

Is MRI significantly better than CT or should I settle for the CT and assume it is conclusive? 

CT with contrast vs MRI with contrast? It depends. For instance, what is the contrast agent? MRI contrast is usually gadolinium. CT contrast is either iodine or barium. These contrast agents will show different things. It depends on what your doc is hoping to see. My limited understanding is that CT with iodine is superior if you want to see the vasular structure, which will show not only existing tumors, but will also indicate tumors which are just beginning, which can be inferred from an area of hypervascularization.

 If I were you, I would ask the radiologist what they hope to see, and why CT was chosen over MRI. Good luck to you!

Hello,

I'm not hugely knowledgeable on the effectiveness of CT vs. MRI, but I have heard it definitely makes a difference in what organ is being looked at, and what they're wanting to try to see.  I have/had (am now considered with no active disease) rectal cancer w/ mets to liver and lungs & recently went through a liver resection.  I am just about to have my first follow up scans since my surgery.  My oncologist originally said I'd have a neck to thighs CT scan.  My liver specialist & colorectal specialist, however, both said an MRI is better for viewing the liver and the colon/rectum than a CT scan is.  To look at my lungs, however, they both agreed that I should still have the CT scan for that.  My colorectal surgeon's words were:  "There are two reasons I'd rather you have the MRI for the abdomen and pelvis... 1) An MRI doesn't have all the radiation like the CT does & 2) The MRI gives a clearer picture of the liver and colon.  She again stated I still should get the CT for my chest, because it gives a better picture of the lungs. 

I think doing a one time CT of everything is probably easier to keep track of & my oncologist also said "some patients don't like getting the MRI because it's a worse experience with the noise and going in the tunnel".  I replied I didn't care about that, that I just want what will give me the best picture of what's going on inside me!

I'd talk these points over with your doctor.  Best wishes-

Lisa