Your Knowlegeable Opinions Please

[Moosiebjm]

Good morning.  I received my CT results from yesterday and I'm a little confused.  Here's the newest one:

"18 mm cystic area left adnexa consistent with an ovarian cyst/follicle likely of no significance.  A larger cystic area in the right adnea consistent with cyst or adjacent cysts and measures 3cm x 2cm.  This was present before."

In the Impressions area it says Abdomen: negative, Pelvis:  Diverticulosis. No evidence of diverticulitis or abscess and then Small cystic areas in both ovaries likely physiologic cysts.

No inflammation was found in my bowel other than some diverticulosis, which was expected.  This is GOOD NEWS.

Anyway, they mention "this was present before."  I pulled up my CT from before - August 2005 just before my bowel surgery and it said:

"Uterus and adenexa:  Unremarkable with no pelvic masses seen.  Two clips suggest prior tubal ligation."

Did I miss something?  Or is there no mention of the "this was seen before" items?  Also, my most recent ultrasound said the right side was "unremarkable."  I've got an e-mail in to the doctor.  I've asked him to actually look at both CT's himself, and the ultrasounds and give me HIS opinion, not the opinion of someone who says "likely of no significance. . ."  Of no significance to who?  I'm trying not to get worked up, but you know how us hormonally challenged can behave sometimes. . .

Anyway, I'd appreciate some thoughts here.  Love, hugs and God bless.  Barb

[JGMom]

I had the same films read by different groups and the reports read somewhat differently.  I had serial CTs and U/Ss and also an MRi all at the same place/same group of radiologists, and the later ones were more detailed.  A few things were mentioned on subsequent reports or reports of same films read by a different group vs original reports.  So it seems really up to the individual reading the films (if you exclude different techniques in imaging, which I could since it was the same films).

I've also had my son's MRI films read by a number of different groups and the same films have produced significantly different reports and interpretations in a few instances.

I've called the radiologists before and asked if I could ask a few questions about the report.  The radiologist can usually tell you more than the Dr can.  They didn't seem to mind it and were pretty good about answering questions.  You could try that?  The worst that can happen is they say they won't talk to you.

[xrayu2]

If they think they are insignificant, they will not comment on it.  It sounds fairly normal.  Good for you!

[Moosiebjm]

Hi Liv, and thanks.

Same equipment, different radiologist.

I should clarify, since being in this watchful waiting period, there has never been a finding on the right side.  Thus, my concern.  Like you say, nothing is all that horrible, but we've been watching the left side for changes.

It's just frustrating.  It would almost be better if they didn't release these reports to us the first time until we're sitting down with the doc to review it together if something is found.

Again, thanks, Barb

[AnotherKatie]

Yo!  Following each other around here....Not that I am nosy, but I remembered you mentioned blood in your urine a few posts back?  What did they attribute that to when you had your scan?
Katie

[livertrans]

Unfortunely, not all Radilogists report the same.  Were both tests done at same spot?  I feel, having worked with many radilogists, that the second report is probably more detailed and accurate.  Another vaiable could have been the images that the tech's got on the diffent tests.  I never learned CT technology but there is still a variable element to it.  If tests were done at different sites then the equipment used for the second one could have been more up to date.  All the imaging modalities keep improving by leaps and bounds.  My husband has to have yearly MRI because of a begnin pituatary tumour.  The have taken from 30 to 40 minutes in the past.  His last one was done on knew equipment and only took 15 minutes.  This is just one example of how things haven improved.
Hopefully (and from what I read in your report) there is probably nothing to worry about too much.  Off course it is easy to say that when the patient is not yourself.
Keep your chin up.