worried

[crazycow]

I am really really worried. Have been having bad headaches, neck pain and jaw pain for a few years now and I recently thought that one of my pupils looked larger than the other and that I couldn't swallow very well (although I am a complete hypochondriac and thought I may have been making this up in my head). I am a 24 year old nurse and I do suffer with anxiety and some depression.
Anyway I told my doc and she sent me for a CT head scan (without contrast) and I really expected the scan to come back as completely fine, but it didnt. Please can anyone help me with this, I have no idea what these results mean -

There is a low density in the upper most cervical cord which I think is probably artifact. Small areas of low density in the thalami. These are likely to be simply dilated perivascular spaces but I cannot exclude small lesions. The scan is otherwise normal and I see no cause of headache. If the patients pupillary signs pesrsist then neurology referral may be appropriate.

What could cause low density? I am terrified that it may be cancer or an aneurysm.
I would greatly appreciate any help.

[crazycow]

Thank you very much, I am having a brain MRI on Monday and will update you with any findings.

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear Worried,

I dont think you should be worried about this head CT. We often see a hypodensity in the posterior fossa and upper cervical area.
Dilated perivascular spaces are relatively common and do not represent "cancer".

I would recommend a brain MRI to clarify this findings.

Thank you

DMP