Will a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Test Tell Your Doctor You Have a Concussion?
Even a mild concussion, if not properly treated, can have serious consequences. If your injury doesn’t require that you go to a hospital or urgent care facility, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Your doctor can conduct a preliminary diagnosis and either get you started on treatment or refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or a physiatrist.
Will Your Doctor Schedule an MRI?
If your doctor orders an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test, it may be to see if there are other types of injuries, but it won’t be effective in determining whether you have a concussion. MRIs produce clear images of brain tissue, and therefore can show a fracture or brain bleed, but won’t generally show if you have a concussion.
Concussions affect how your brain works, typically affecting the interaction between the neurons in your brain cells and the blood vessels in your brain. You can’t capture those interactions in an image. An MRI will show pictures of structural damage in your brain, but a concussion may not involve any structural damage. If your doctor relies entirely on an MRI, you may be told that you’re fine when you actually have suffered a concussion.
An MRI is also generally ineffective in diagnosing post-concussion syndrome, or PCS. You may be experiencing many of the symptoms of PCS but may have no structural damage or degradation. If, however, the MRI shows a fracture or bleeding in the brain, that’s often a good indicator of a more serious injury.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer a concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.
