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What Does My CT Scan Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 3 Sep 2016

Question: Hello dear doctors, My sister has got severe headache which usually starts from morning 10:00AM to around 5:00PM after that she is okay. She cannot see upward, if she see upward while she go, probably she may encounter imbalance and fall if she look downward all the time she is doing okay.
Right now, she is taking Atripla and Bactrim but the headache starts before she start this regimen. So the doctors ordered CT scan twice (with and without contrast) and I attached the report and the prescription steroid for three weeks. What do you advice.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Further investigations are needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.

I Have noted your sister's symptoms and also seen the CT brain report and doctor's prescription.

She needs further investigations to confirm the diagnosis- MRI brain with contrast and lumbar puncture.

The most likely diagnosis could be recurrence of tuberculosis (TB) infection or inflammation due to old TB infection. Other infections such as fungal infections should also be excluded. Tumor should also be excluded.

I sincerely hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

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

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (22 hours later)

Thank you doctor for your precise answer, what will be the next procedure after she finished the steroid? is steroid cure her or not if not what is the use of prescribing this drug for now? and my final question is is there any drug-drug interaction between Atripla, Bactrim and steroid? because she is taking these three. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
MRI brain with contrast should be done.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

After completing steroids, an MRI brain with contrast should be done. Steroid is given to suppress the brain inflammation. If it is due to TB inflammation, it may cure her. In other diseases, cure would not occur with steroids.

There is no significant drug-drug interaction between the drugs mentioned.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar