1st ANniversary MRI, good or bad news ????

[Dan]

Today I had my 1year post retro op MRI done and then talked with the radiologist afterwards.  He said there is something still there (3mm), but he said that it could be scartissue or regrowth.  The surgeon last year said that he removed all of the AN but of course it only takes one cell for regrowth.  My Question is has anyone had an MRI that shows a 3mm large scar.  I have an appt. with my ENT next week and am supposed to make an appointment then to go to the hospital that did the surgery but that could take a few weeks. 
The radiologist said that I should come back in a few months and have another MRI.
I'm almost as nervous now as when the radiologist last year told me I have an AN.

Dan in Germany 

[leapyrtwins]

Dan -

sorry the radiologist left you confused.  I didn't know radiologists could tell you your results.  In my experience, the radiologist writes the report and the "ear doc" (ENT or neurotologist) explains what it says to you.

I know that my first annual MRI showed scar tissue, but I forget how my neurotologist knew it was scar tissue and not regrowth    Basically what I'm trying to say is your doc will know the difference between scar tissue and another AN so try not to stress until you see him.  I know, easier said than done 

Hang in there and let's all hope for the best.

Please keep us posted,

Jan

[Cheryl R]

Plus any fat put in the head also shows up as enhancement.                 My surgeon said to remind my radiologist of this as had my MRI's at the hospital where I worked.         I have done all of them there but may now go to the hospital where I see my surgeon.                   The price of it doubled this last time to $6000.            They had redone the system to now have them on CD and not as just a film and looks like having to cover the cost of that.                     I always had to pay half of what my ins didn't pay since worked there.                At my university hospital,don't have to pay any after ins covers the bill.   
                                               Cheryl R

[Omaschwannoma]

Guten Tag,

At my one-year report from radiologist at facility said "regrowth."  My neurotologist & neuro-radiologist said, "No regrowth."  At my third-year the radiologist report said, "Possible regrowth, fat or scar tissue."  My neurotologist & neuro-radiologist said, "No regrowth, but hemhorrage in cochlea and inflammation of inner ear." 

Hope your films/cd's are read by a neuro-radiologist along with treating surgeon and they say "No regrowth!"

"Choose!"  (incorrect spelling here, but you understand!)

[leapyrtwins]

Plus any fat put in the head also shows up as enhancement. 

Not necessarily.  It depends on the MRI machine that is used.  Some machines show it; some don't.

My neurotologist told me that my fat wouldn't show up on the MRI films because the machine wouldn't pick it up.  I think he specifically noted that I had fat in my head when he gave me the MRI order, but I could be wrong about that.

Jan

[Dan]

Thanks for the responses, so what your telling me I have to hope that I'm only a fat head.  Here in Germany the Radioligist is a Dr. and has alot more experience reading MRIs than my ENT but I'm sure not nearly as much experience as the ENT/Neorosurgeon that did my OP, but to get an appointment with him will take weeks.  My ENT has only had 3 patients with ANs in the 25 years she's been a Dr and my Primary I was his first, hes been a Dr for 30 years.  I can only hope that I can get an appt quickly.  I'm hoping for the best but still worried.

Dan in Germany     

[sgerrard]

Hi Dan,

Has it really been a year? How time flies...

3mm is pretty small, the resolution of MRIs is only 1-2mm. I think the odds are in favor of it being scar tissue. They will probably just end up saying have another MRI in six months or a year, and see if it gets any bigger. If it does, it is regrowth; if not, it is scar tissue.

Hope you are doing well otherwise.

Steve

[Dan]

Steve
On 21 Sept. it will be one year but I couldn't wait and got MRI appt. alot faster than I thought I would.  The radiologist also recommended that I have a new MRI in a few months because it is so small.  I have an appt. with my ENT on Tue. and will have a new hearing test done and get a referal to ENT AN Specialist.  I'm sure that this is just scar tissue but if not at least I'm well informed and would be joining the wait and watchers.

Dan in Germany

[leapyrtwins]

Dan -

good luck on Tuesday.  Hope the doc says you're just a fat head    - don't worry you're in good company, as I'm one myself 

Let us know what he has to say.

Thanks,

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Dan:

I have to agree with Steve's astute response.  The next MRI will confirm scarring, 'fat' or growth.  Until then, it sounds as if the doctors are guessing, while you become stressed.  Try not to, it may well just be scarring and/or fat.  My prayer and wish is for that to be the case. 

My neurosurgeon just tells me my AN is bigger (it swelled after my FSR treatments) or, lately, a bit smaller and showing necrosis.  I do see the films (CD's, now) but hardly understand what I'm seeing so I let him tell me.  Thats why he get the big bucks. 

Jim

[Omaschwannoma]

BTW Dan,

I do remember reading somewhere's a long while back when doctors were trying to figure out if my tumor was back or scar tissue and the word "linear" came up as scar tissue/fat as opposed to more rounded (my terminology not medical)  in appearance which means re-growth.

[Dan]

I scanned through the more than 60 pictures on my MRI CD and I definetly have to wait for a couple more experts to look at them.  The paper copy that the radiologist showed me, shows an almost perfectly round BB size white #'&%$#§&!   I'm still feeling positive though.  In three weeks I have vacation, me and my wife have been looking forward to this since Jan. There is nothing that anyone could say that would depress me until I come back.

Dan in Germany