Anyone? I'm expecting Cleveland clinic to order me an MRI (possibly an abscess or fistula). How important is it to have it done at the clinic, rather than where I live, about 3 hrs away? Is there a radiology dr. at the imaging facility who reads/interprets the results of the MRI? Can the MRI disc be sent to and read by a radiology dr. in cleveland? Just wondering what kind of options there might be for this. It would save a trip up and also $$ to use a particular imaging facility here in town, due to insurance coverage. Thanks.
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An MRI is always read by a radiologist at (or at least connected to) the imaging facility where the study is done. Fistulas can be tough to image and tough to see. There's nothing magic about Cleveland Clinic's imaging, but 1) they might have more experience imaging fistulas, 2) they might have (and plan to use) a higher resolution magnet, and 3) the radiologist might have more experience looking for fistulas. The images can certainly be sent to a CC radiologist if the local imaging is technically adequate. Deciding how to proceed unfortunately includes some guesswork.
Thanks scott, I appreciate your insight. I'll discuss with my CC doc. I'm almost certain that she will want everything done up there (been through something similar a number of years ago.) But now maybe I can present an option that's workable for both of us. I'll keep you posted, Thx again.
Good luck. If your CC doc feels strongly about where the imaging gets done then there's a possibility of making the case to your insurance company that it's medically necessary. This usually takes time and determination. I've won arguments with my insurance company, but it's exhausting and soul-sucking. You might consider setting the stage by asking your doc if he'd be willing to write a letter to your insurer supporting the need for CC imaging.
That's definitely worth exploring. Thanks for the advice!
The only reason I can think of for demanding an MRI to be done at the CC, rather than a local facility, is that the techs are familiar with what exactly the doctor is looking for and will be sure to cover the necessary area. Other than that, the technology is the same. The imaging facility should be able to email the images and radiology reports to any facility and/or the ordering physician. Imaging is all digital now.
Jan 
My GI and Surgeon are CC doctors and they have no problem with me getting my imaging and blood work done elsewhere, since my wife works for a local hospital and all of these kinds of tests are free for employees and their families. The only thing I have done at CC are scopes, because I won't trust that to anyone other than my surgeon or GI doc, so you shouldn't have a problem. My local hospital sends the bloodwork results and imaging to my CC docs without issue.
Thanks all, but as it turns out, it's probably going to be a moot point. Just scheduled a pouch removal for November 24th. I'll be posting another post later re. the whys and what-fors.