CT Scan - Spinal Lesion?

[OperaMBA]

I had my CT Scan this morning and you guys taught me well - I snagged a copy of the scan on CD before I left.

I have looked at the scan and I believe that I can see the my lesion on T3....    Is this possible....

However, the boneheads didn't use contrast and I argued with them about it.   I believe that I will need to go back.

The purpose was to look at a place in my lungs.

Richard
OperaMBA

[OperaMBA]

Doc,

I do have all of my recent films on CD and am awaiting the reports, which I should receive soon.

Deb,

They told me this morning that the radiologist chose not to use contrast.   Frankly, I am skeptical because what they are looking for is in my lungs, but who knows with these guys.   I am considering switching to a different hospital chain.

I have concluded that my ear problem with hearing was episode 3.   It was combined with Trigeminal nerve pain and pain below, behind and above my left ear as well.  Also, in addition to the hearing loss, there was numbness in the tubular portion of the ear....

Chaos abounds.

Richard
OperaMBA

[Deb61]

I've had a CT of my lungs to rule out TB and had to have contrast.  It was a different contrast than what is used in MRIs--I had to wait a bit to let that get out my system before they could do the MRI w/wo contrast of the brain.  

What did they find with your ear?

Deb

[Melissa072]

Why is it you guys don't get the film, cd, and report????????
Where I go here in Australia, I can pick them all up later or wait for the report to be typed up after the radiologist and the dr check them over and compare them to other reports?

I have all my film and reports here with me.......

Maybe its different in different places, very interesting though...

[OperaMBA]

Thank you so much!

I'll check that one out!

[Lulu54]

I didn't want to call you a crab .... you seem pleasant enough to us!

If you want to look at a good clear explanation on MRI's complete with pictures of the real things, check out this one -

msperspectives .  c o m
select the summer issue - it has a man and a baby on the cover.

page 7 = article on All About MRI's

I found this very helpful to see the pictures with the explanation of what each one shows.

Be well,
Lulu

[OperaMBA]

Lool, I'm a crab!!!   I guess the butter will work just as effectively though!

Amyloo, I should see the report later this week...

Jen, you are right, the boneheads didn't do it with contrast and I argued with them about it this morning.   The PCP requested it with contrast so I will have to go back.

I haven't had a complete brain/cervical with contrast on the MRI's either, just a partial from when they examined my ear in January...

I do see something right where my lesion is on the MRI though...   So who knows!

Thanks y'all!

Richard
OperaMBA

[jensequitur]

I'm no expert on CT scans, but I believe it won't show anything, even if they had injected contrast.  If you've got something showing on T3, then it's not a blemish in the spinal cord, but a problem with the hard tissues surrounding it.  I think.

However, I understand that they are supposed to inject a contrast agent with a CT scan, so it does sound like you need to go back.

Just a warning - don't try to interpret your MRIs yourself!  You'll just end up straining your eyes for no reason.  There's a reason they inject those contrast dyes  - it's to eliminate weird little white spots that might or might not be lesions.  The radiologist compares the scan with contrast with the scan without contrast, and decides whether it's an actual artifact, or just a fold of brain matter.

[Amyloo]

Hi Richard,

I have two lesions on my spine and I can't pick out even one on my films.  My husband says he can see one; all I see is shade of dark and shades of grey or light throughout my spine.  When can you get your hands on the report?  Amy

[Lulu54]

Richard, don't know about the CT but one look at you in your picture and I can tell you're spiney - that's one good looking lobster ..... where's the drawn butter?  Lulu