MRI question

[Toadlee]

Hi guys;
I've had the MRI, downloaded the imaging software and have poured through it with a critical eye. And I can't see what I'm looking at. OK, I see my ears (they're not that big in real life, btw) and my eye balls (ee-uuu!) but I'm not seeing a big fat white glob in the place I would expect to see it. I do see a white glob below it, circumscribed and unilateral, but I have no clue. OK, I know I should go see the ENT and get the scoop, and I will. But they have this not-so-nice person who yanked my chain for a month before I got the MRI, and I really don't want to deal with her again. I'd put money on a long wait for a return visit. Given that, anyone have any clarity on where neuromas show up and how one interprets one's MRI in the absence of a specialist? Geez, I do hate the way health care works these days. I will go get my official answers, but if anyone has input, it will make the waiting easier.
Thanks,
Toadlee

[inmaine724]

All I did was typed in Acoustic Neuroma images in google.  Shows you tons of pics of actual MRI images with neuromas on them.

Good luck.


...Danielle

[Toadlee]

Thanks, I've done that (what else have I got to do?). I see lots of horrid imaiges where even I can tell there's an alien on-board, but no one looks like me. Whatever it is, it's not big. And it's not a white light bulb either, but the outline is white. There must be 300 + views, so comparing apples to apples is not easy. Guess I'm hoping people will pipe up with certain ideas of 'yes' and 'no'. Now that I think about it, this is a forum of 'yes' folks, so I'm realizing I'm asking for answers not in evidence. Sorry, everyone. I'll take commiserations as offered instead.

Toadlee

[inmaine724]

Mine didn't look like a lot of them that were online either, but I was able to figure out how to determine where/what it was.  Good luck!

[CHD63]

Toadlee .....

Did you pick up the radiologist's report, as well?  I always go back and get a written copy of the report, as well as the CD ROM.

Keep in mind there are numerous light and dark spots on an MRI that are completely normal.  As a "lay person" I have great difficulty knowing whether what I am seeing is "normal" or not.  My original MRI with contrast left no doubt that the large white blob I could see on one side only, probably was not normal.

Get the expert's opinion before you scare yourself.

Clarice

[Funnydream]

Call HEI (House ear institute) and send them your MRI and get a FREE evaluation. Concidered some of the best experts in the world on AN.

Hope this helps.

[mk]

Hello Toadlee,

for a detailed "tutorial for amateurs" see Tumbleweed's very informative message, posted on one of the other threads that are currently active:

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=13756.0

Good luck,
Marianna

[Toadlee]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. There are some very kind and helpful people here. I took marianne's advice and reviewed the post from tumbleweed. I'll look over my images again with those landmarks in mind. Also someone mentioned sending the cd to house. Will they even look at it without a diagnosis? I would think dr's would avoid stepping on each others toes. Still, that is an option that I hadn't considered and it really does get around the issue I'm having with the ENT's office. Thanks again, all, for your generous and thoughtful ideas.

Toadlee

[Funnydream]

Also someone mentioned sending the cd to house. Will they even look at it without a diagnosis? I would think dr's would avoid stepping on each others toes. Still, that is an option that I hadn't considered and it really does get around the issue I'm having with the ENT's office.

I believe in our Western Culture that getting a second opinion when it comes to doctors is considered the right and moral thing to do. So shop around.

Don't be afraid to call HEI and get help. They want to help you.

Here in Texas every single Doctor I ever met worked for a company. The Doctor does not run the office. And that is a better way because the management of a office is stressful and time consuming.

I demanded a MRI from my general Doctor and when she wrote the script. I was able to get the MRI the next day. I got out the phone book and saw 18 MRI companies here in Fort Worth. I called them all and all could get me in the next day and found a wide array of prices and machine types and machine ages.

[nftwoed]

Hi;

   Maybe email Dr. Brackmann and ask him to call you re, your mailed CD. He will generously return call after reviewing it free. <dbrackmann@hei.org> I would keep the email short, and also consider the good post of Clarice's re, the radiologist's written report.
   Best wishes here... ( often, ANs  often appear an ice cream shape as the tail of the AN extends to usually, the vestibular nerve from whence it attaches. )

   NFTWOED

Also someone mentioned sending the cd to house. Will they even look at it without a diagnosis? I would think dr's would avoid stepping on each others toes. Still, that is an option that I hadn't considered and it really does get around the issue I'm having with the ENT's office.

I believe in our Western Culture that getting a second opinion when it comes to doctors is considered the right and moral thing to do. So shop around.

Don't be afraid to call HEI and get help. They want to help you.

Here in Texas every single Doctor I ever met worked for a company. The Doctor does not run the office. And that is a better way because the management of a office is stressful and time consuming.

I demanded a MRI from my general Doctor and when she wrote the script. I was able to get the MRI the next day. I got out the phone book and saw 18 MRI companies here in Fort Worth. I called them all and all could get me in the next day and found a wide array of prices and machine types and machine ages.