What other kind of MRI dye is there?

Question

I have to have an MRI of my brain tomorrow with contrast. I've heard from a couple people that there is some kind of other contrast they can use other than the standard dye that makes you feel all burning and like you have to pee. Does anyone know what this other form of contrast is?

Answer 1

You are confusing MRI contrast with CT scanning contrast.   CT scanning uses x-rays, so the contrast used is very different than the contrast used for MRI, which is using a magnet and radiofrequencies.  CT scanning contrast does make you feel very warm, especially in the genitals, and many people feel like they are going to urinate.  MRI contrast does not do that (at least, in 10 years of doing MRIs, I have never had a patient complain of that).  All contrast used in MRI scanning is gadolinium based.  In all of my time doing MRI scans, I have never once witnessed a patient have ANY sort of reaction to this contrast.