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Old Infarct
by renevda, May 31, 2008 12:31PM
I went to ER recently with sudden onset severe vertigo with nausea, vomiting, etc. My symptoms went away in a few hours although I had the dizzy spells upon wakening from a sound sleep for the next 6 weeks or so. Anyway, my question is this:
While I was in emergency they did a CT scan of my brain (among other things). The scan showed "an old infarct." It didn't say possibly an old infarct. It said specifically where the old infarct was.
When I went to my Dr. a couple of days later, they did an MRI. My Dr. said that the MRI did not show an old infarct. Although there were other small vessel issues: narrowing of the vessels, etc. (I am 64 years old)
How can a CT scan show one thing and the MRI show something else. This has left me a bit confused especially since I had had some weird symptoms a few months ago while shopping which included loss of balance, dizziness, triple vision in one eye, etc. The symptoms only lasted a few minutes, but at the time I wondered if I'd had a TIA. When I told my Dr. about the symptoms she said "don't worry about it unless it happens again."
For some reason I'm not comfortable with what my Dr. is telling me and would like an opinion about the different results on the two tests. My Dr. is an MD and I doubt that a neurologist looked at the results of the MRI.
Thanks for your help.
Somewhat confused Grandma
While I was in emergency they did a CT scan of my brain (among other things). The scan showed "an old infarct." It didn't say possibly an old infarct. It said specifically where the old infarct was.
When I went to my Dr. a couple of days later, they did an MRI. My Dr. said that the MRI did not show an old infarct. Although there were other small vessel issues: narrowing of the vessels, etc. (I am 64 years old)
How can a CT scan show one thing and the MRI show something else. This has left me a bit confused especially since I had had some weird symptoms a few months ago while shopping which included loss of balance, dizziness, triple vision in one eye, etc. The symptoms only lasted a few minutes, but at the time I wondered if I'd had a TIA. When I told my Dr. about the symptoms she said "don't worry about it unless it happens again."
For some reason I'm not comfortable with what my Dr. is telling me and would like an opinion about the different results on the two tests. My Dr. is an MD and I doubt that a neurologist looked at the results of the MRI.
Thanks for your help.
Somewhat confused Grandma
Post Comment
It is possible for one investigation to show a thing and another to offer greater clarity on the same issue either in confirming it or in negating an earlier diagnosis.
Since it is not possible to view your reports it is difficult to resolve your issue .You could get a second opinion on the matter from another doctor.
Also you shold consider the possibility of benign-meaning not harmful- spells of vertigo which is commonly seen in old age.
It comes on sometimes with positional changes.Your doctor could prescribe medication for the same to relieve you of the symptoms.