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What Does My MRI Scan Report Indicate?
Question: Hi, I had an MRI 2 years ago for something else and 3 small nodules were discovered on my lungs. I'm 43 and a non-smoker. I had a CT scan to confirm this and then had another CT scan 6 months later (instead of 12 months as I had a node on my diaphragm that needed checking too, so my Dr said do the chest too).
After the last scan the radiologist said the nodules were stable since the last scan with largest one being 6mm. He said the nodules have the appearance of scars and there was no instruction for follow-up. I have also followed-up with two pulmonologist since, then and they both said they wouldn't do another scan based on the findings. I just get vert paranoid about this. Going for another scan not only exposes to more radiation, but could easily find more benign findings that could start more scans.
My question is would you still advise another follow up CT scan as per the Fleischner Society recommendations or not as I had the 2nd scan a bit earlier than recommended? I’d obviously rather not subject myself to more radiation from the CT scan and would like to forget about this. Thanks in advance for your help!
Excerpts from my report attached,
After the last scan the radiologist said the nodules were stable since the last scan with largest one being 6mm. He said the nodules have the appearance of scars and there was no instruction for follow-up. I have also followed-up with two pulmonologist since, then and they both said they wouldn't do another scan based on the findings. I just get vert paranoid about this. Going for another scan not only exposes to more radiation, but could easily find more benign findings that could start more scans.
My question is would you still advise another follow up CT scan as per the Fleischner Society recommendations or not as I had the 2nd scan a bit earlier than recommended? I’d obviously rather not subject myself to more radiation from the CT scan and would like to forget about this. Thanks in advance for your help!
Excerpts from my report attached,
Brief Answer:
No need for further scan at present.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should not do further scans because possibility of benign nodules is more in your case.
Your nodules are stable over 6 months time, so malignant nodules are unlikely.
But if you are smoker or having respiratory symptoms then you should get done repeat scan after 6 months.
So please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any respiratory symptoms?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
No need for further scan at present.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should not do further scans because possibility of benign nodules is more in your case.
Your nodules are stable over 6 months time, so malignant nodules are unlikely.
But if you are smoker or having respiratory symptoms then you should get done repeat scan after 6 months.
So please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have any respiratory symptoms?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for you reply! I can't seem to be able to get this out of my mind.
I do not smoke. I do have mild asthma which I've had all my life, but it is totally under control and rarely take medication for it.
Also can you confirm that a CT scan is the type of imaging to look at these nodules? As I understand MRI is not good for looking in the chest and not really an option even to look at scar tissue, correct?
I do not smoke. I do have mild asthma which I've had all my life, but it is totally under control and rarely take medication for it.
Also can you confirm that a CT scan is the type of imaging to look at these nodules? As I understand MRI is not good for looking in the chest and not really an option even to look at scar tissue, correct?
Brief Answer:
Yes, CT scan is the best tool two evaluate lung nodules.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, your understanding is right.
MRI is not a good imagining modality for chest imagining because MRI is mainly useful info evaluation soft tissue like muscles, vessels and spinal pathology.
CT scan is the best modality for evaluation of lung lesions including nodules.
So you have right thing, no need to worry for your nodules, these are benign only.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes, CT scan is the best tool two evaluate lung nodules.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, your understanding is right.
MRI is not a good imagining modality for chest imagining because MRI is mainly useful info evaluation soft tissue like muscles, vessels and spinal pathology.
CT scan is the best modality for evaluation of lung lesions including nodules.
So you have right thing, no need to worry for your nodules, these are benign only.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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