MRI Reports..why aren't they explained?

[Heather3418]

There have been so many posts about results of MRI reports and what they mean.  What is going on with Neurologists that they are not explaining what these results mean, before handing them out?

This is an OUTRAGE and an injustice to the patient.  None of you should be left hanging, with a 'radiology report,' with no explanation of what these reports mean.

I wish there was some way I could answer all these questions about what these MRI reports mean; but I am not qualified of course.  I really feel for all of you, that are given such a report, with absolutely no way of understanding what it all means....  This is paramount to human torture...

I am in outrage FOR you....

Bless all of you....Heather

[suzycaslass]

I have just posted my scan results in the neurology section - am gutted not to understand them.

I was dx'd in September 2004, am on Rebif and have had evoked potentials, lumber punctures and mri's a plenty over the years.  Please help me understand my recent report.

My consultant said I had arthritis of neck and something about disc in spine.  He also said the original area of my brain stem had lesions but with lesions in other areas.  I am medically minded, was PA myself for a Consultant of Respiratory and my Mother and Daughter are nurses - but they are not neurologists.

The report is in three parts:-

MRI Brain & Spine
Brain: Sequences Acquired: Axial T2w TSE, T1w SE, sagittal T2w TSE and coronal flair.
Whole Spine: Sequences acquired: Sagittal T1w and T2w of whole spine, and axial T2w from C2/3 to body of T1
Brain: Findings There are no previous MRI scans in possession for comparison.

Normal configuration of the cortical sulci and sylvian fissures.  The ventricles are symmetrical and non-dilated. There is no intracranial mass lesion.  There are a number of foci of T2 high signal intensity within the peri-ventricular white matter of both cerebral hemispheres.  The cerebellus appears normal.  There is also area of high signal intensity within the right side of the medulla, best demonstrated on the T2w axial images.  No other focal foci of T2w high signal are indentified.  The cranjo-cervical junction appears normal.

Spine Findings: Normal vertebral body height and alignment.  There are Haemangiomata within vertebral bodies of the T1 & T6 verterbrae.  The cord appears normal and reyurns a normal signal and there is no extrinsic compressive lesions demonstrated.  Within the cervical spine there is small right central disc/osteophyte complex at the C^/7 levels however this does not cause any significant central canal sternosis and it does not come into contact with cord.  In remaining areas there is no central or foraminal stenosis.

Comment I note clinical details provided.  There are a few small foci of T2w high signal intensity within the periventricular white matter of both cerebral hemispheres.  There is also foci of high signal intensity within the right side of Medulla.  Clinical correlation is recommended.

[6-paq]

I feel lucky that my neuro sat down with me twice and viewed/discussed the films from my brain MRI.  He gave me a copy of the report at the end of my visit.

Maybe some have gotten copies of their reports before visiting with their neuro?  That is only what I can hope.  I think if I got a copy of my report ahead of time (like I usually do, but didn't in the case of my brain MRI), I'd be a bit confused as well.

I do agree that each neuro should sit down and go over the report results and films with each patient.  I think they owe them at least that much.

I do feel bad for those who are left hanging and for those who are told by their neuro that everything is "normal", but their reports say otherwise!!!