Aa
How worried should I be?
I was having weakness in my hands and was sent to a nerve specialist. He tested me for some things that came out negative so he went on to order an MRI of my spine and brain. The one of my brain came back as follows
Impression: 2.0 x 1.2 x 2.0 cm nonenhancing mass in the suprasellar cistern which appears to be separate from the pituitary gland, optic chiasm and hypothalamus as well as the internal carotid artery. The differential includes craniopharyngioma and epidermoid cyst. Less likely is a cystic glioma or cystic astrocytoma. CT scan of the sella turcica would be of benefit in further characterizing this lesion as the presence of calcifications or fat within the lesion may distinguish it as being a craniopharyngioma or epidermoid cyst.
How worried should I be? Is that big for being in the brain? Doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon, but has no clue how long it will take to get in there. I would really appreciate ANY advice at all...since I totally lost at this point.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Impression: 2.0 x 1.2 x 2.0 cm nonenhancing mass in the suprasellar cistern which appears to be separate from the pituitary gland, optic chiasm and hypothalamus as well as the internal carotid artery. The differential includes craniopharyngioma and epidermoid cyst. Less likely is a cystic glioma or cystic astrocytoma. CT scan of the sella turcica would be of benefit in further characterizing this lesion as the presence of calcifications or fat within the lesion may distinguish it as being a craniopharyngioma or epidermoid cyst.
How worried should I be? Is that big for being in the brain? Doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon, but has no clue how long it will take to get in there. I would really appreciate ANY advice at all...since I totally lost at this point.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Sorry it took so long to update..things just didn't calm down until now. The baby is settled in and finally getting some good rest so I have a few minutes.
LOVED Dr. Walsh. He was very informative and seemed to really care. He had lots of knowledge about this tumor which is hard to find. I even asked one of the young neurologist's here yesterday about it..and he said that it's so uncommon that he knows nothing about them. He is sending me to an opthomatrist and endocrinologist and also ordered another more pituitary specific MRI asap so he can get a better look. As I was talking to him he was amazed at how much I knew (thanks to you girls and a few others) My mom went with me and also had the same impressions of him.
As for the surgery...he said it is very high risk...but it's also risky to leave it in. It would require a craniotomy due to it's location and entanglement. If the specialist he's sending me to say that it's affecting me he wants it out now...if they say otherwise he said it's up to me if we remove it or W&W with frequent MRI's.
LOVED Dr. Walsh. He was very informative and seemed to really care. He had lots of knowledge about this tumor which is hard to find. I even asked one of the young neurologist's here yesterday about it..and he said that it's so uncommon that he knows nothing about them. He is sending me to an opthomatrist and endocrinologist and also ordered another more pituitary specific MRI asap so he can get a better look. As I was talking to him he was amazed at how much I knew (thanks to you girls and a few others) My mom went with me and also had the same impressions of him.
As for the surgery...he said it is very high risk...but it's also risky to leave it in. It would require a craniotomy due to it's location and entanglement. If the specialist he's sending me to say that it's affecting me he wants it out now...if they say otherwise he said it's up to me if we remove it or W&W with frequent MRI's.
I'll try to update when I get home..I have to get ready to leave Tues for Vanderbilt with the baby for 4 days..so it's going to be a crazy day :D My appt's at 1 so I should be back by late afternoon
thanks :D I'm excited and scared at the same time..I really need some answers though
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