How long does it take to get the results of an MRI?
How long does it take for a neurologist to examine the images of a head MRI? Not how long it takes to get around to looking at it, but once he/she’s gotten it.
My friend got a concussion, it looks like a bad one, and we’re waiting for the results. The neurologist supposed to look at them right away.
It sounds like you are in the waiting room of the emergency room? I would guess that it would take minutes to hours to get a neurological consult. If the neurologist is standing next to the machine as the test is being taken, you’re talking minutes. Even so, often the primary consults with others and seeks additional patient data before coming forth with a conclusion and/or course of action. This ends up taking more than minutes. One the other hand, "right away" also depends upon how critical your friend is compared to others; who can wait and who cannot, who came in first versus last, etc… In part, this also depends upon the size of your hospital, who may or may not be in surgery, who may or may not have already gone home for the night, and more.
At this point, it is probably a good thing that it is taking what seems like a long time to get answers. If your friend’s MRI indicated the need for immediate, drastic, or emergency action the wait for information would be far shorter but none the better. Often a head injury, neurological work up includes far more data than that just received from the initial MRI too. Some of this data includes how the patient fairs over a period of time, not just the short time during the initial emergency room admission process.
Speaking of which….even if your friend is discharged this evening or later, it would be a good thing to keep an eye on them for a couple of weeks without hovering. Also, within the sports world, there is a medical emphasis for avoiding a second concussion within a short period of time from the first. As a friend, you can help your friend avoid activities that might lead to a second concussion within a short period of time by suggesting alternative and hanging with them while practicing alternative activities.
Ask the neurologist!DUH
References :
It sounds like you are in the waiting room of the emergency room? I would guess that it would take minutes to hours to get a neurological consult. If the neurologist is standing next to the machine as the test is being taken, you’re talking minutes. Even so, often the primary consults with others and seeks additional patient data before coming forth with a conclusion and/or course of action. This ends up taking more than minutes. One the other hand, "right away" also depends upon how critical your friend is compared to others; who can wait and who cannot, who came in first versus last, etc… In part, this also depends upon the size of your hospital, who may or may not be in surgery, who may or may not have already gone home for the night, and more.
At this point, it is probably a good thing that it is taking what seems like a long time to get answers. If your friend’s MRI indicated the need for immediate, drastic, or emergency action the wait for information would be far shorter but none the better. Often a head injury, neurological work up includes far more data than that just received from the initial MRI too. Some of this data includes how the patient fairs over a period of time, not just the short time during the initial emergency room admission process.
Speaking of which….even if your friend is discharged this evening or later, it would be a good thing to keep an eye on them for a couple of weeks without hovering. Also, within the sports world, there is a medical emphasis for avoiding a second concussion within a short period of time from the first. As a friend, you can help your friend avoid activities that might lead to a second concussion within a short period of time by suggesting alternative and hanging with them while practicing alternative activities.
References :