Paging all Lay Radiologists

[sadie405]

If a lesion is noted on a t-spine sagital image, for example, how does one "locate" where it might show up on the axial? Or vice versa?

(Am I making any sense? :) )

Thanks!
Sadie

[sadie405]

Haha Bob, Too True!
I just had this image of myself sneaking my mri cd into a sequined handbag, next to a lipstick and a bottle of neurontin... :)

[jensequitur]

I definitely try to interpret my own MRIs, even though I know I shouldn't.  The important thing is not to freak out by something you see that isn't on the report.

[COBOB]

Make sure you cheat with a Neuroradiologist.  Most general radiologists can spot big issues on brain and spine MRIs, but not the subtle things.  This is one of the reasons that some of the reports from imaging centers look short and lack detail.  Neuroradiology is a sub specialty for radiologists  and requires a few more years just reading just brain and spine films.  It is normally a prerequisite for going on to be a neuro interventional radiologist.  I know a few docs that have done this.

[sadie405]

Thanks, guys!

I know you're right-- neuroradiology is not exactly a 2 week correspondance course-- but I can't help it-- I think these images are so fascinating.  I will say I'm trying to understand them more from curiosity, and not as much diagnostically. I keep joking with my husband that I'm going to have an affair with a radiologist, just for the one-on-one personal analysis of scans. :)

[COBOB]

Reading axial T-spine is like trying to slice 5mm at a time from breast though backbone down the spine.  Unless you really know what disc windows and levels  at and what lesions window and level at and are able to tell the thecal membrane from a plaque, it will just drive you insane.  This is really something best left to Neurologists and Neuroradiologists.

Bob

[jensequitur]

Yeah, I don't bother trying to find the slice - that's incredibly difficult.  I just look at the lesion on the film and find its location using a anatomical drawing.  Although my last MRI showed me lesions I already knew were there - spasms, pain, numbness, tingling all around the areas I have problems with.

[daisy.girl]

hi...
if you look at the top of your MRI page, there should be a drop down or link to synchronize the films. Then when you are looking at the sagittal films, the corresponding axial film will show up in a frame next to the sagittal view.

[Audrey_M]

I'll second Red on that one, especially when it comes to the spine!

I like to think of myself as fairly intelligent, but there is no way in the world that I can even start to compare the different views. That takes years of training, and my years of training and experience in accounting and finance don't count LOL.

Audrey

Phew...caught myself just in time from being censored. I left out a very important letter in the word count!

[RedFlame]

are you trying to read your own films?  You can drive yourself nuts trying to do that.