Understanding Past MRI Brain Results
M32, 6'3", 225 pounds. No ongoing medications or health concerns. While perusing some of my old medical documents, I stumbled upon a CT scan performed 15 years ago. It was prompted by the persistent headaches I experienced following a concussion. This scan was later supplemented with an MRI. Currently, I have no symptoms and had completely pushed this memory aside (it was back in high school) until I came across these records. Regrettably, I do not have any images, but I have included the transcription from my doctor regarding the MRI findings below: **COMPARISON:** Head CT **TECHNIQUE:** A standard brain MRI was conducted, consisting of sagittal T1, axial T2, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted images, and axial T1 before and after the administration of gadolinium, including coronal T1 post-gadolinium. A total of 19 cc of MultiHance was administered intravenously. **FINDINGS:** As indicated in the previous CT scan of the head, there is a structure exhibiting fat signal intensity extending along the left tentorium cerebelli. It follows a fat signal pattern in all pulse sequences and does not exhibit any significant mass effect on the adjacent left cerebellar hemisphere. This structure runs along the underside of the tentorium, adjacent to the left posterolateral area of the quadrigeminal cistern, with the neighboring colliculi appearing normal. No focal area shows restricted diffusion, and there are no signs of a recent stroke or any intracranial bleeding. Additionally, there are no abnormal fluid collections inside or outside the brain. There is no evidence of hydrocephalus or any midline shift. The cervical medullary junction appears normal, and the corpus callosum is intact. No air-fluid levels are detected in the paranasal sinuses. **IMPRESSIONS:** There is a T1 hyperintense structure along the underside of the left tentorium cerebelli. This structure follows the fat signal on all pulse sequences and shows no significant mass effect, most likely indicating the presence of an intracranial lipoma. A ruptured dermoid could also be considered. No restricted diffusion suggests the absence of an epidermoid. When compared with the previous CT scan of the head, the appearance seems unchanged. There are no indications of recent infarcts, intracranial hemorrhages, or any masses within the cranial cavity. Though I currently experience no symptoms, I find myself curious about whether the presence of this mass in my brain merits further evaluation, especially since I don't believe I had any follow-up after this MRI.
Answers (1)
7/10/2025, 11:40:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned after reviewing past medical records, especially when they involve findings related to your brain. The good news is that your MRI results indicate a stable condition that appears non-threatening. Let's break down your findings, address your concerns, and discuss the next steps you might consider.
Summary of MRI Findings
- Intracranial Lipoma: The MRI shows a structure likely identified as an intracranial lipoma, which is typically benign and does not require treatment unless it causes symptoms.
- No Acute Issues: There are no signs of stroke, bleeding, or other abnormalities, indicating your brain's health is stable.
- Stable Condition: The findings have not changed since your previous CT scan, which is reassuring.
Explanation
- Intracranial Lipoma: This is a benign fatty tumor that usually needs no intervention, especially if asymptomatic, which you currently are. These lipomas are often found incidentally and can be monitored, but they typically do not pose any health risks.
- No Symptoms: Since you haven't experienced any headaches or other neurological symptoms recently, this supports the likelihood that the lipoma isn't affecting your health.
Next Steps You Might Consider
- Monitor Symptoms: Continue to be attentive to any new symptoms that may arise, such as headaches, dizziness, or changes in vision.
- Follow-Up Discussion: If you have lingering concerns about the MRI results or if you want clarification about the lipoma, consider discussing this with a healthcare provider who can provide personalized insights based on your medical history.
- Keep Records: Maintain a file of your medical records and any imaging reports for future reference or discussions with healthcare professionals, especially if your symptoms change.
While it can be unsettling to discover previous findings, remember that the stability of your condition is a positive sign. If any new health concerns arise, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.
Related Questions
Concern for Dad's Mysterious Episodes at the Airport
I just finished a phone conversation with my father, who is 73 years old. Upon answering his call, I was greeted with unsettling news that he was at the hospital, which naturally sent me into a panic, fearing the worst. Thankfully, he reassured me that he was in good spirits and his condition was stable. While he isn’t in the best health—struggling with type 2 diabetes, being overweight, and the challenges that come with aging—he still enjoys a decent level of activity, particularly traveling. However, he does neglect both diet and exercise. Here’s what transpired during his recent flight to Portland, Oregon: After disembarking, he felt fine for about ten minutes. Then, inexplicably, he began to increase his walking pace until he ended up collapsing. This incident occurred not once, but three times. He emphasized that he did not experience dizziness or fatigue, which he found quite strange. It was as if he was caught in a cycle of accelerating his pace until he fainted. The airport staff intervened promptly, and he was taken to the hospital. According to him, all results from his medical tests appeared normal, except that the doctors suspect a gallbladder complication which he’ll need to address upon returning home. He mentioned that there is additional fluid surrounding it, indicating a possible infection. Has anyone encountered similar situations or symptoms that could provide some insight? I'm eager to understand what might be happening and to suggest any specific concerns to his doctors. I truly appreciate any advice you can offer!
Intense Experiences of Déjà Vu
Age: 19, Weight: 126 lbs, Height: 5'11", Smoker. I am coping with several health conditions, including depression, ADHD, cholinergic urticaria, and potentially postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). It's unclear if these disorders are interrelated. Throughout today, and occasionally 1-2 times for about a week every few months, I have been experiencing intense déjà vu. The sensation can be so overwhelming that I begin to feel nauseated, sweat excessively, and become lightheaded. It’s as if I am observing my life through a strange lens, foreseeing the events that follow. Due to its severity, I often find it necessary to either sit down or pull over while driving to regain my composure. These episodes typically last between 1 to 3 minutes, and on days when they occur (which is generally once or twice a week over a period of 4 to 6 months), I may encounter multiple episodes in a single day. I've noticed only minor fluctuations in my sleep patterns or stress levels, neither of which seem unusual. Should I arrange a visit with my primary care physician in August or consider heading to the emergency department?
Aortic Aneurysm in a 33-Year-Old Male
I am a 33-year-old male, standing at 5'11" and weighing 185 pounds, with no ongoing medications and a non-smoking history. Recently, I received a diagnosis of a 44 mm aortic root aneurysm. To provide some context, the investigation began after I experienced my first syncope six hours post my second COVID vaccination in 2022. Six months later, I had another syncopal episode and ended up in the emergency department, where I tested positive for COVID despite showing no symptoms. Over the following years, I faced multiple presyncopal incidents accompanied by palpitations, yet my cardiac evaluations—including a CT scan, lab tests, echocardiogram, and Holter monitor—returned negative results. A month ago, while I was sleeping, my wife, who works as a nurse in cardiothoracic intensive care, thought she detected a rapid arrhythmia while resting her head near my chest. Upon waking, I experienced palpitations but didn't overthink it. She encouraged me to seek further assessment. Subsequently, I underwent another ZioPatch monitoring, which indicated heightened ventricular ectopy, revealing runs of up to five beats as well as isolated premature atrial contractions (PACs). A CT scan following this found a 44 mm aortic root aneurysm located at the sinus of Valsalva. An echocardiogram I had following the CT appeared normal, while a nuclear stress test indicated heterogeneous tracer uptake. My coronary arteries were clear based on my CT angiography, and I had a calcium score of zero. I am currently awaiting an appointment with a specialist and have some questions that I hope to clarify: 1. Are there any recorded instances where COVID-19 has been linked to the development of aortic aneurysms? It feels too coincidental that I was in good health until the day I got my second vaccine. 2. Could the aneurysm be responsible for the ventricular arrhythmias? I did not notice palpitations while connected to the monitor. My wife worries that I might be experiencing longer episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) that could lead to syncope. 3. What might be the source of the aforementioned heterogeneous tracer uptake? My wife, who might be the one crafting this message, has encountered a case of aortic angiosarcoma and is quite anxious about it.
Concerns About Glans Inflammation - 20-Year-Old Male
Hello everyone, I’m a 20-year-old male experiencing a concerning issue that has persisted for about 2 to 4 months. Lately, I've noticed that the glans of my penis appears quite inflamed, exhibiting some raised bumps that occasionally have white tips. The part of my glans that the foreskin no longer covers also shows significant inflammation. Furthermore, I've observed that the right side of the foreskin band turns red after friction, and during an instance of masturbation, the skin in that area began to peel. Thankfully, I do not experience any pain, discomfort, unusual discharge, itchiness, or malodor, and urination remains normal with no tightness in the foreskin. I’ve consulted with my general practitioner on two separate occasions. On the first visit, I was prescribed Canesten, but it had no noticeable effect. Next, I was given hydrocortisone, which minimally reduced the inflammation but did not resolve the issue. My doctor is uncertain about the diagnosis but believes it is neither fungal nor bacterial in nature. Today he took a swab sample for testing and referred me to a dermatologist, suggesting that it may be related to other conditions but thankfully not cancer. I’m curious, based on my symptoms and appearance, could this be dermatitis, an compromised skin barrier, or something more serious like lichen or psoriasis? I have also experimented with various oils and creams, which unfortunately led to an increase in inflammation. After using just Vaseline overnight and washing with lukewarm water, the inflammation seems slightly less severe today. My history includes daily masturbation, and I used to take two hot showers a day, which makes me wonder if that might have contributed to the problem. Additionally, I previously washed with body soap directly on my genitals, but I stopped this practice a couple of months ago. I have been abstaining from masturbation for about two weeks now.
Running with a Recent Injury?
I am a 34-year-old female weighing 185 pounds. Earlier today, I had a minor incident while riding my bike. This resulted in a fracture of my middle finger, along with five stitches in the nail bed and tip of the finger. Fortunately, I sustained no other injuries. The urgent care team advised me to keep the stitches dry for the first 24 hours and to avoid submerging them in water until the stitches are removed, which will be in ten days. However, I neglected to inquire about the implications of sweating. I am an avid runner and am currently preparing for an upcoming marathon. If I clean the wound thoroughly post-run, considering I tend to sweat quite a bit, am I still in the clear to resume running? I intend to take a break for a couple of days regardless, provided I’m alright to do so. Are there any additional concerns I should be aware of? They provided me with antibacterial ointment and dressing supplies to change the bandage every few days.