After Much Asking And Pleading With My Doctor I Was

Posted on Tue, 27 Nov 2018

Question: After much asking and pleading with my doctor i was given a MRI for my brain, without contrast. Convinced I had a tumor, my test came back normal, except for a partially filled scella, and flattened pituitary gland. I'm a little confused, to my understanding increased CSF can make the gland appear flattened, but how in the world is this not caused by a tumor? Why would my neurologist choose to give me an MRI without contrast, and how often are readings false? thank you

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Its not associated with any specific disease in majority.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar, a neurologist, here to answer your query.
Empty sella is not associated with a disease in most. Obesity can commonly predispose to Empty sella. It doesn't affect life expectancy and don't cause any symptoms in those cases.Tumor is the cause of empty sella in few cases. MRI with contrast is the ideal test to be done for evaluation. Although, if there would have been any tumor, plain MRI should also, in most cases give an idea.

Hope that helps. If you have any further questions, I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards,

Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (8 minutes later)

If I was your patient, would you be confident in the plain MRI results, or would you have used contrast?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
MRI with contrast

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

I would still have got a contrast film.

Hope that helps. If you have any further questions, I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards,

Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy