Author Topic: confusing MRI reports  (Read 3606 times)

Gloriann

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confusing MRI reports
« on: May 27, 2006, 09:08:27 am »
It was 5 years ago that my 4 cm acoustic neuroma was removed and the neurosurgeon said he had to leave a tiny piece which was stuck to my facial nerve, so follow-up MRI's would be done to make sure that piece was not beginning to grow.
I have had 4 MRI's done since the surgury. When my neurosurgeon looked at the one that was done in 2002, only 1 year after my surgury, he said he saw no evidence of anything but scar tissue present and said I did not have to have any more MRI's done. He told me to take my MRI with me, which was done here where I live in Louisiana. When I left his office and went to see the other surgeon that same day, the ear specialist, and brought him the MRI, he did not look at it while I was in his office, but he did keep it. Then after I returned home he called me on the phone and said he let a radiologist look at it and he believes there was more than just scar tissue present. He told me to get another MRI done the following year, so I called the nerosurgeaon and told him about it and he said to have more MRI's done in the future.
Well, I saw him in April of this year he only looked at my last MRI, not comparing it to any of the others, which I thought was strange,  and he told me that there is only scar tissue there and that I never have to come back to see him again or have any more MRI's done.
When I came back home and received a bill from the local hospital for the remainder of what I owed on my MRI, I deceided to go to the hospital to pay it in person and while I was there I deceided to get a copy of the MRI report from the most recent MRI, thinking it would say the same thing my doctor said. I am glad I was sitting down when I read this MRI report because it states that "new white matter has arisen" which indicates a "recurrent acoustic nueroma".
 I am wondering if anyone here has ever had any experience like this following your surgury?
« Last Edit: June 23, 2008, 09:30:17 pm by Gloriann »
4 cm AN removed 2001- Memphis, Tn by
Dr Gale Gardner and Dr Jon Robertson

7/12 nerve graft 2002- Dr Jon Robertson

gold weight 2001 Memphis, a few days after tumor surgery- Dr James Fleming

Gamma Knife done December 29, 2010 at LSU Shreveport

Desilu

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Re: confusing MRI reports
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2006, 01:54:59 pm »
Hi Gloriann,

Did not have the same problem as you as far as conflicting MRI's but I have learned that it is always good to get copies of the MRI's to keep for yourself. The hospital would give me copies to give to my doctor and when he was through with them, I would take them back and request a film or two that best showed my AN. I believe it cost about $5 per film but it was well worth it.  When I was deciding on a surgeon, I was able to supply him with 5 years of films to compare them to. If I was in your shoes, I would suggest taking your films for a second opinion and see what a new doctor would say. I wish you the best!  Ann
HEI July 26, 2005
5mm X 8mm Left AN
Middle Fossa
Dr. Brackmann & Dr. Hitselberger

russ

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Re: confusing MRI reports
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2006, 10:36:06 pm »
Hi Gloriann

  Do you recall who wrote and signed off on the latest MRI? The radiologist or surgeon? My guess is the radiologist read the MRI and wrote the report.
  My second guess is the neurosurgeon overruled his words.
  I do feel the radiologist is more qualified to interpret the MRI.
  If this were happening to me, I'd want still another MRI in 12 - 18 months, or, to have an outside source give second opinion of the latest MRI.
  Best wishes here from one who was misdiagnosed as having Menieres Disease for 6 1/2 years because an ENT overruled what the radiologist reported correctly. The report by the radiologist said 2 ANs, small in size.

  Russ

Vincent87

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Re: confusing MRI reports
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2006, 01:35:56 pm »
My mom had GK in May 2005 for a 2.1cm AN.  We had been told all along that the tumor was "dying" and then in February of this year I got her MRI plus the reports...she had been hospitalized for a VP shunt (hyrdocephalus as a result of the GK)..the tumor has grown.  I'll never be able to prove it...yes it was the same radiologist, same hospital.  Here it is July and we're still waiting for her GK doc and neurosurgeon (of the VP shunt) to call us and let us know that her AN has increased.  I've been told by a RN cousin that I shouldn't hold my breath:  Every time I request a copy of her film or reports the ordering MD is notified.  They know I'm shopping for a new MD so like why bother to follow up?  I will believe this until the day I die that the GK missed the AN completely and that there's this HUGE coverup because Mom's MD is like a top dog.  I love how they all say it's called "practicing medicine."  Go practice on a guppy or a cockroach-or better yet maybe an immediate family member of your own Mr. MD.  "The truth is out there..."-it's up to you to find it-they're all chicken ^%&.  It's exhausting.  I send you good thoughts.

Gloriann

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Re: confusing MRI reports
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2006, 02:45:12 am »
Yes, it was the radiologist who wrote my MRI reports and Yes, the surgeon overruled it!
But after I talked to the doctor (neurosurgeon) for quite awhile over the phone one day, he agreed to look over all 4 of the MRI's again, ones done since my surgury, and now he has come to the same conclusion that the radiologist did!
In the meantime, I have found another doctor to see me and have more MRI's done, one closer to my home.
4 cm AN removed 2001- Memphis, Tn by
Dr Gale Gardner and Dr Jon Robertson

7/12 nerve graft 2002- Dr Jon Robertson

gold weight 2001 Memphis, a few days after tumor surgery- Dr James Fleming

Gamma Knife done December 29, 2010 at LSU Shreveport