Can they see your ribs on an MRI of the back?

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mom2twins34
mom2twins34 Member Posts: 185
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Just wondering if anyone knows whether the ribs can be seen when an MRI of the back is done?  

Not sure if this is just a spinal MRI--my MO didn't specify.  She just said she was ordering an MRI to rule out mets because of increasing pain in my back & right hip.  Now I'm wondering if this will also include an area of major concern to me (the ribs where they wrap around from back to front on the right side--where there's quite a bit of pain).  

Thought I would ask all of you before I attempt to reach the oncologist (not even sure that I'll be able to reach her before the MRI).  I don't want to seem like I'm questioning her, but I'm really not sure if she has "heard me" when I've mentioned that right rib pain--the back & right hip seem to be her focus.  I don't want to waste an expensive scan if it doesn't include one of the most important areas...

Thank you for your help!

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  • Denali
    Denali Member Posts: 347
    edited February 2012

    My case is somewhat similar.  I have weakening and pain in the thigh area of my right leg.  But I also reported to my oncologist that my rib 4 inches below my armpit is sore.  She thought it was a muscle pain, but after a week it's remained sore.  She's ordered a chest x-ray and a spinal MRI.  I guess that covers my rib and spine, but what if there's a problem in my leg bone??  So I'm left worrying too.  sigh.  Don't you just hate all this worrying?

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  • mom2twins34
    mom2twins34 Member Posts: 185
    edited February 2012

    Thanks for the response, Denali.  Sorry to hear about your pains!  Yes, I do hate the worrying, too--it's so hard not to worry about these things!  

    I noticed that you are ER+, too...  Are you on Tamoxifen?  I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it's tamoxifen-related because it is so painful ALL of the time--especially the hip.  But then there's another part of me that's worried about mets.  So hard to know what's causing what & what it's reasonable to concerned about (i.e. if all of this pain is just "normal")!      :-) 

    I hope your chest x-ray and MRI are okay & that your pain resolves...  Sending good thoughts for clean scans!

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