Need Help On an MRI "Prescription"

[Christine]

I don't know if anyone is familiar with reading an MRI "order form" but my friend just showed me his and he is just wondering what it means.

It says: MRI head/neck. But right above the "I" in "MRI" there is a word or abrreviation that looks almost like the word "Egad". I know that this is not what it says--in fact, I know the first letter isn't an "E", it could be "T" or something else. Anyone good with this stuff?

 

[justhat]

My husband said that when they write out an MRI they have to write a diagnosis code (and ICD-9 code so that insurance will pay for it) so it could be that. Also, it could be a note for the radiologist so that he knows what to look for on the MRI. For example, if the MRI is because say he sprained his ankle then the dr might write that so that the radiologist looks for the right things. HTH.

 

[Christine]

My husband said that when they write out an MRI they have to write a diagnosis code (and ICD-9 code so that insurance will pay for it) so it could be that. Also, it could be a note for the radiologist so that he knows what to look for on the MRI. For example, if the MRI is because say he sprained his ankle then the dr might write that so that the radiologist looks for the right things. HTH.

Well, at the botton of the form, there is a note that says that patient is suffering from pain on the left side--left ear and left neck.

I know what you mean by diagnosis codes and maybe they are different in radiology, but this is definitely not a number. That "T" looks almost like an abbreviation for someting the top line is separate from the bottom part of the "T" and the bottom part of the "T" looks like a backwards, lowercase "j". The other letters are definitely "gad" kind of in a cursive.

I've joked with my friend and told him that it is "doctor's code" to the radiologist that says "This person is a hypochondriac."

 

[robs6799]

I am guessing that what you saw is either a with or without sign and the word gad. Gad is a contrast agent used in mri procedures. Gad is commonly used for head/neck imaging. Hope this helps!

 

[Christine]

I am guessing that what you saw is either a with or without sign and the word gad. Gad is a contrast agent used in mri procedures. Gad is commonly used for head/neck imaging. Hope this helps!

Thanks, that's probably it!

 

[cats mom]

Yep- I was going to say the same thing as robs6799

gad is short for gadolinium

My DD much prefers her MRI's when they are done without contrast.
With contrast requires a shot and takes longer.

Good luck to your friend.
I hope they find whatever is causing the pain and can correct it.

 

[MinnieM3]

I think the separated T is some kind of order as to when to take the gad stuff. DH is a pharmacist and uses that when he writes notes and stuff as shorthand. He's working today, but I'll check.

 

[Christine]

Thanks everyone!

My friend is "happy" if they are using a contrast. He says he wants the best MRI possible.

 

[laurie31]

My guess is the "separated t" is the "with" symbol. It looks like a lower case c with a line over it.

The MRI tech will administer the gad right before the scan.

Good luck!

Laurie

 

[Christine]

My guess is the "separated t" is the "with" symbol. It looks like a lower case c with a line over it.

The MRI tech will administer the gad right before the scan.

Good luck!

Laurie

Yep! Although the "lower case c" looks more like a backward "j" on this prescription, I'm sure you're right. Those doctors and their handwriting.