i don't think its right but they may be able to do it legally its typical of the medical profession they are not keen on giving people all the information as they say information is power you are easier to control when you don't know anything. still there should be a lot of the relevant information on your report

I have always received a copy of the report and a CD of the scan whether it be an MRI, a CT scan, ultrasound, etc..
Patients have the right to get copies of their medical records which includes films. I always request to get copies whenever I have a test done, most times I end up having to see another doctor who will request this information, so it saves me time in the long run.

Happy New Year!!

Thank you, I guess I shell have to look into getting my film a little more another way. Yeah, I just thought as much as they charge for a MRI that they would at least give you the film. Can anyone tell me what all this means? This is what my MRI report says>

" IMPRESSION
1. C-2-3, C3-4, C4-5 Disc desiccation but otherwise normal.
2. Small diffuse disc bulge that creates mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing, but no significant central canalstenosis.
3. C6-7: Small diffuse disc bulge that creates moderate left sided neuroforaminal narrowing with no significant right sided neuroforaminal narrowing. There is some flattening of the anterior aspect of the cervical cord, although there is still CSF seen posterior and anterior to the cervical cord and no abnormal cord signal is demonstrated.
4. C7-T1 Disc desiccation with otherwise normal appearance.
5. Cervical cord demonstrates normal signal and morphology otherwise.
No marrow signal abnormality is demonstrated."

Dictated By: Steve Marchioni, MD.

What does all that mean? I am in a great deal of pain it all I know.

Hello Timothy,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Timothy, and WELCOME to this forum.

The MRIs (films or CD) are YOUR "property". You paid for them.

I have never had that difficulty. In fact, I have asked for extra copies at the place where the MRIs were taken and they have given me a copy (or perhaps charged me $5 for the copy). I needed the extra copies so that I could take one to another doctor for a second opinion. Also, I wanted a copy for myself. With CDs you can look at them on your computer (though you may need to download some software).

Same goes for X-rays that the original doctor took of my spine. I have asked for additional copies and have alwyas received them with no problem.

In the U.S. any such images (MRIs or X-rays) are YOURS. The doctor can view them, but they belong to YOU.

If you have further problems in this matter do let us know.

RichT

Thank you very must for all the help. I have sent the MRI office a nice long e-mail telling them about my new recently acquired info. That's see what they have to say about that . Oh, and thank you for the kind birth-day wises as well.

Lets hope the MRI office cooperates with you. If not, there are other avenues to use.

Enjoy your birthday!!!

RichT

Thank you. Can you tell me what other avanues might be available. Oh, here is the e-mail they sent me BTW.

"I understand your concern with your MRI however we do not give the results of tests to patients. I recommend you call Dr. Ingram's office and ask for a better explanation.

Also, if you need your MRI to take to the neurosurgeon let me know and we will get it ready for you to pick up. Just let me know who you are going to see.

Thank You,
Paula Amstutz
Director of Radiology
Dekalb Memorial Hospital
260-920-2566 "

Also, may I ask who you are RichT? You seem very knowledgeable. Are you a doctor by chance?

Hello Timothy,

I'll start from the end of yor post and work forward.

No, I'm not a doctor, just one of the "spineys" like most here. I have learned an immense amount from this forum, especially from the people at the Laser Spine Surgery thread.

Thanks for the E-mail that the MRI office sent to you. And one of the avenues is the one they suggested. SOOOooo, play their game if you have to. Go find yourself another expert spinal doctor and have her/him request the MRIs. It is always a good idea to have a second opinion anyhow. Oh yes, then tel the doc you would like to keep the MRIs for your records. More than one way to "skin a cat". Good Lord, now all the animal rights activities will be after me. LOL

HOWEVER, I stand by what I said earlier - You paid for the MRIs, and therefore they are YOURS!!!!! Seems the MRI office is playing this "game" of the patient is stupid and therefore should not see the MRIs. Okay, I can't read my MRIs as a professional medical doctor can, HOWEVER, I sure the heck can have a copy for my records and share them with any doctor I so please. Pardon me, but the MRI office is living in the Dark Ages!!!! THAT is not how the world turns today!!!

Do stay in touch and let me know what kind of response you get from the MRI office with your latest E-mail to them.

As a side light, and then I had better quit. - I started to discuss some spine issues with my spinal surgeon, to which he replied "A little knowledge will not make you an expert." Man, I could have slugged him. I don't disagree that a little knowledge may mislead a person in making a wrong conclusion, HOWEVER, the summation of knowledge on this forum far exceeds what some doctors pretend they know in my very biased opinion. Far better to have some understanding of ones situation than to blindly trust just any doctor's opinion. Won't take you long reading through some of the threads here to find out there are a number of doctors who screwed up because they didn't really know what they were doing.

Take care.

Know why doctors say they have a "practice"? Because they are still practicing!!!! LOL

RichT

P.S. Timothy just noticed EHealth switched your thread to "Diagnostic Techniques". If you don't respond in a day or two I'll send you a PM.

NO! The disc is yours and so are the X-Rays if there are any. You may need them for consult etc. I have my brain and L-Sine X-rays right here at the house with me. Do'nt let them tell you that. It is your property and should have access to them or even keep them.