Concern Over MRI Findings: Seeking Clarity
Hi there! I’m a 21-year-old woman, standing at 5’4” and weighing 265 pounds. I've been diagnosed with a range of conditions, including hypothyroidism, vasovagal syncope, insomnia, and ADHD. Since I was 16, I’ve dealt with various neurological issues that come and go. These include severe vertigo, chronic headaches, migraines, leg weakness, numbness and tingling sensations in my hands and feet, and some other symptoms that I can’t quite recall right now. Recently, following a bout of headaches and eye discomfort (during which my pupils were uneven), my primary care physician and an ER physician speculated that I might be experiencing idiopathic intracranial hypertension. I consulted with an ophthalmologist who found no signs of papilledema. He then requested an MRI, both with and without contrast, which I underwent yesterday. I received the results today, revealing a lesion in my brain. Here’s a summary of the findings from the report: - A small T2 hypointense extra-axial lesion measuring 10 x 8 mm was found in the right frontal area. There’s some blooming on the susceptibility-weighted images, but thankfully no significant enhancement. - The lesion could potentially be a small calcified meningioma, venous calcification, or possibly a chronic hemorrhage. - Importantly, there are no signs of an acute intracranial issue, such as infarction or hemorrhage, and no distinct indicators of idiopathic intracranial hypertension were observed. The report recommends a CT scan of the head without contrast for further evaluation. Other findings detail no irregularities in the structure of my brain tissue, no evidence of hemorrhage, and normal appearance of the brain's ventricular and cisternal systems. There are no major fluid collections detected, and the craniocervical junction looks normal too. Additionally, the report mentions that my arterial flow is intact, the venous sinuses exhibit standard enhancement, and both the sella and orbits seem unaffected. My paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells are also clear. This MRI report appeared in my MyChart app, and I have previously had multiple CT scans of my head without contrast, all of which returned no findings. As I am not a medical professional and have not received a detailed explanation of these results, I find myself feeling quite anxious about what they mean. If anyone could help clarify this for me, I would be immensely grateful. Thank you so much!
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 9:52:13 PM
OpenHealth AI
I understand your concerns about the MRI findings, and it's completely normal to feel anxious when faced with medical results that are hard to interpret. Let me break down what your MRI report indicates and guide you on the next steps.
Key Points:
- The MRI found a small lesion in the right frontal area of your brain, which could represent a few different things, but there are no immediate signs of serious issues like acute hemorrhage or infarction.
- Common possibilities for this lesion include a small calcified meningioma (a generally benign growth), venous calcification (which is harmless), or a past hemorrhage.
- Your MRI also shows that the rest of your brain structures are normal, and there are no signs of critical conditions, such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Explanation:
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Lesion Types: The term "lesion" simply refers to an area that appears different from normal brain tissue. The potential causes your physicians mentioned—meningioma, venous calcification, or chronic hemorrhage—vary in significance:
- Meningioma: Often benign and slow-growing; many people live with them without issues.
- Venous calcification: Usually benign and seen in healthy individuals, especially in the elderly.
- Chronic hemorrhage: Could mean a small bleed from the past that has since resolved.
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No Acute Issues: The report emphasizes that there are no urgent problems (like bleeding or a fresh stroke), which is reassuring.
Next Steps:
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Follow-Up CT Scan: It is important to follow through with the recommended CT scan without contrast. This test will provide more detailed information about the lesion, which will help in specifying its nature.
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Monitoring: After the CT scan, your physician will likely discuss the results with you and determine if any further action is necessary based on what they find.
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Keep Track of Symptoms: Continue to monitor your neurological symptoms, especially if you notice any changes or worsening of your headaches, dizziness, or sensory changes. Take notes on when they occur and their severity.
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Seek Support: Consider discussing your feelings of anxiety during this time with a healthcare provider or therapist. It can help to talk through your concerns and gain emotional support as you await your follow-up.
Remember, it’s okay to feel concerned, and seeking clarity on your health is essential. If you have any more questions or need further explanations, feel free to ask.
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