“Why would someone need an MRI and ultrasound?”
My mom has gout, and she has been recommended for an MRI. But she just had an ultrasound recently as well. Why would someone need an MRI and ultrasound? Are both necessary?
3 Answers
They have likely been performed for different things.
Ultrasound to check for fluid. If there is fluid, it can be aspirated for confirming final diagnosis of gout and at the same time relieve the pressure. MRI to assess extent of gout lesion and underlying extent of bone destruction; joint deformity, ligament, or tendon involvement as well as to exclude other possibilities like infection or tumor.
Gout affects joints. An MRI is best for joints. Sounds like someone is self-referring for their own US. I would run to another doctor.
