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Hemangioma misdiagnosis?
Hi there,
Recently had a 7.3 cm x 4.5 cm mass found by accident on my liver in the left lobe. They did a CT scan w/out contrast looking for kidney stones, which the ER doctor thought was causing my sudden onset of extreme lower back pain, but found the mass by accident. Since then I have had an MRI, lower abdominal ultrasound, a second CT scan w/contrast and a nuclear test done.
Prior to the 2nd CT scan w/contrast but after the MRI w/contrast and the nuclear test their reply was "Please inform patient that imaging has been reviewed by GI. CT shows a mass, and nuclear study is negative for hemangioma. "Per GI advise; impression: 1. Large lobulated left hepatic mass of approximately 7.3 x 4.5 cm but no significant enhancement. Differential diagnosis includes adenoma and/or atypical hemangioma. 2. Small subcentimeter cyst in the posterior segment of the right hepatic lobe. But the nuclear scan did not detect hemangioma. Therefore, may need CAT scan guided liver biopsy to make the diagnosis". I was sent to a 2nd GI who then ordered the 2nd CT scan with contrast and his radiologist decided "mass has imaging characteristics of hemangioma. So they have diagnosed it hemangioma.
How are two different GI's saying two different things? Is the CT scan that says it is hemangioma more reliable than the nuclear test that said it was not hemangioma? I am very concerned about the lack of consistency and how am I supposed to be comfortable with such contradiction? Anyone else experience this before?
Any feedback would be appreciated. I am tempted to ask for copies of ALL the images and take them to an independent radiologist to review. I don't want any surprises down the road.
Recently had a 7.3 cm x 4.5 cm mass found by accident on my liver in the left lobe. They did a CT scan w/out contrast looking for kidney stones, which the ER doctor thought was causing my sudden onset of extreme lower back pain, but found the mass by accident. Since then I have had an MRI, lower abdominal ultrasound, a second CT scan w/contrast and a nuclear test done.
Prior to the 2nd CT scan w/contrast but after the MRI w/contrast and the nuclear test their reply was "Please inform patient that imaging has been reviewed by GI. CT shows a mass, and nuclear study is negative for hemangioma. "Per GI advise; impression: 1. Large lobulated left hepatic mass of approximately 7.3 x 4.5 cm but no significant enhancement. Differential diagnosis includes adenoma and/or atypical hemangioma. 2. Small subcentimeter cyst in the posterior segment of the right hepatic lobe. But the nuclear scan did not detect hemangioma. Therefore, may need CAT scan guided liver biopsy to make the diagnosis". I was sent to a 2nd GI who then ordered the 2nd CT scan with contrast and his radiologist decided "mass has imaging characteristics of hemangioma. So they have diagnosed it hemangioma.
How are two different GI's saying two different things? Is the CT scan that says it is hemangioma more reliable than the nuclear test that said it was not hemangioma? I am very concerned about the lack of consistency and how am I supposed to be comfortable with such contradiction? Anyone else experience this before?
Any feedback would be appreciated. I am tempted to ask for copies of ALL the images and take them to an independent radiologist to review. I don't want any surprises down the road.
Thank you for your reply, I am glad I am not alone in my confusion. They found nothing wrong with my back except for mild arthritis. Which is bizarre since I have a very high tolerance to pain. Arthritis did not cause the excruciating pain in my back, it was definitely nerve pain but havent had it happen since.
Hi, I tried to find some information for you. I am putting it below. It sounds like you have been though a lot of tests. To me it looks as if all saw the mass except for the nuclear scan. That is confusing. I would ignore the nuclear scan.
It looks like the first doctor wanted you to get a biopsy of the mass though it also appears as if he called is an atypical hemangioma I wonder why he did not do the biopsy.
The second doctor did the scan again, no biopsy.
I think you have a good idea of taking it to someone else to take a look at.
I wish I knew more.
As an aside, my husband had an x-ray that showed a mass on his lung.
He was sent for a CT scan which showed no mass. All we can figure is that there was a shadow that the radioligist thought was a mass. I am saying this to say that they all make mistakes.
Did they ever find out what was wrong with your back?
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177106-treatment
It looks like the first doctor wanted you to get a biopsy of the mass though it also appears as if he called is an atypical hemangioma I wonder why he did not do the biopsy.
The second doctor did the scan again, no biopsy.
I think you have a good idea of taking it to someone else to take a look at.
I wish I knew more.
As an aside, my husband had an x-ray that showed a mass on his lung.
He was sent for a CT scan which showed no mass. All we can figure is that there was a shadow that the radioligist thought was a mass. I am saying this to say that they all make mistakes.
Did they ever find out what was wrong with your back?
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177106-treatment
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