OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Seeking Clarity on MRI Results

3/29/2025, 2:30:25 AMMale25-34

In December, I underwent an MRI, and my primary care physician informed me that there were no significant findings, indicating everything appeared normal. Here are the details of the results. I had some concerns about the marrow aspect and sought further explanation. However, the doctor reassured me that everything was fine, describing the findings as incidental. Initially, I felt relieved, but now I believe that an additional MRI with contrast would be a prudent step to confirm that there are no underlying issues. My anxiety regarding my health has intensified, fearing that there could be something serious at play. Rest assured, previous symptoms have subsided. **Summary of Findings** 1. No significant abnormalities detected within the intracranial area. The MRI of the brain without contrast yielded mostly ordinary results. **Clinical Background** Reason for the MRI: Experiencing headaches on the right side accompanied by tingling and numbness in the right side of the face, numbness in the right leg, and left arm numbness. **Comparison:** None conducted. **Technique:** The examination was carried out following established protocols. **Observations:** **Brain Tissue:** No indications of recent strokes or bleeding. No evidence of mass effect or brain herniation. The T2/FLAIR signal intensities appear normal for this age group, showing no concerning susceptibility. **Ventricles:** Size remains within standard limits for the patient's age. **Extra-Axial Regions:** No abnormalities noted. **Vascular System:** Blood vessels show normal flow signals. **Bone Marrow:** No signs of abnormal marrow replacement were observed. There is a prominent T1 hyperintense signal behind the left sphenoid sinus at the left clivus (6/13), which is likely a normal variation such as slightly incomplete pneumatization of the left sphenoid, normal focal fatty marrow, or could potentially indicate a fatty intraosseous hemangioma. The absence of any T1 hypointense marrow replacement is a reassuring sign, indicating no aggressive bone disease is present. **Eye Sockets:** No abnormalities detected. **Sinuses and Mastoid Areas:** Clear of any obstructions. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology

Answers (1)

Cony

3/29/2025, 2:30:40 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel anxious about health concerns, especially when it involves interpreting MRI results and worrying about potential underlying issues. However, your MRI report shows mostly normal findings, and your physician's reassurance indicates that immediate concerns were addressed.

Summary of Findings:

  1. MRI results show no significant abnormalities, particularly regarding the brain and blood flow.
  2. The notable findings regarding bone marrow suggest normal variations, rather than any serious conditions.

Explanation:

Your MRI reports that there's no evidence of serious issues like strokes, tumors, or aggressive bone disease, which is reassuring. The particular signal described in the bone marrow is likely a normal variation and not something alarming. This means that while it's good to track your symptoms, the likelihood of a serious underlying condition is low based on these results.

Next Steps:

  1. Monitor Symptoms: Since previous symptoms like headaches and numbness have subsided, continue to observe your health. Note any recurrence or new symptoms that arise.

  2. Practice Stress Management: Given your heightened anxiety, consider adopting some relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle physical activity, to help manage stress.

  3. Communicate: If your anxiety persists or if new symptoms appear, document these in detail and discuss them with your primary care physician for further guidance on whether a follow-up MRI or further evaluations are necessary.

  4. Limit Information Overload: While it's natural to seek more information, try to refrain from excessive searching online about medical conditions, as this can heighten anxiety. Focus on professional advice instead.

By following these steps, you can help ease your concerns while being proactive about your health. Remember, it's entirely normal to feel anxious about health matters, and seeking reassurance from healthcare professionals is a healthy practice.

Related Questions

Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?

I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.

Crohn's DiseaseThyroid DisordersInternal Medicine
Male25-34
59 minutes ago

Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks

Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!

LupusThyroid DisordersEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting

Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!

ArthritisFibromyalgiaInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed

Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.

Multiple SclerosisCrohn's DiseaseEndocrinology
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions

Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!

Thyroid DisordersEndocrinologyRheumatology
Male25-34
3 hours ago