Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does My MRI Scan Report Of The Head Indicate?
Question: I have had an MRI scan of my head and spine because I have weakness in my right leg. The neurologist has requested an lumbar puncture to rule out MS due to white spots on one side of my head being disproportionate to the other side. I am a female 63 yrs old. On looking at the MRI scan, a white blob was seen in the area of my throat. The neurologist discussed this with the radiographer and got his secretary to ring me to say he THOUGHT it was a cyst. I constantly have an aching throat and ears. How do I know this is not cancer?
Brief Answer:
MRI does distinguish the nature of the lesion.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand that you must be concerned.
So if I understood you well this blob is outside the brain and skull and in the back of your throat correct? Also it might be useful to give more info on the history of this aching of the throat and ears, how long, their progression in time, are both ears involved, other symptoms you have etc. If it's a long standing recurring problem it would make a tumor unlikely as it would have progressed.
MRI is a very sensitive exam for soft tissue masses. It involves different techniques to visualize different tissue components, which makes it possible to distinguish the composition of the blob and differentiate a cyst from a tumor. So while I don't have the luxury of being able to see the images myself (if you can upload them, I would gladly take a look), I believe a radiologist would be able to make that distinction in a confident way and if he has excluded a tumor would take his word for it.
It looks like you are unsure because you perceived your neurologist not to be confident about it, but keep in mind that since that cyst is outside of the brain and spine, it's not something he deals with in his everyday work and might have thought it wise to leave the verdict to the radiologist.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
MRI does distinguish the nature of the lesion.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand that you must be concerned.
So if I understood you well this blob is outside the brain and skull and in the back of your throat correct? Also it might be useful to give more info on the history of this aching of the throat and ears, how long, their progression in time, are both ears involved, other symptoms you have etc. If it's a long standing recurring problem it would make a tumor unlikely as it would have progressed.
MRI is a very sensitive exam for soft tissue masses. It involves different techniques to visualize different tissue components, which makes it possible to distinguish the composition of the blob and differentiate a cyst from a tumor. So while I don't have the luxury of being able to see the images myself (if you can upload them, I would gladly take a look), I believe a radiologist would be able to make that distinction in a confident way and if he has excluded a tumor would take his word for it.
It looks like you are unsure because you perceived your neurologist not to be confident about it, but keep in mind that since that cyst is outside of the brain and spine, it's not something he deals with in his everyday work and might have thought it wise to leave the verdict to the radiologist.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i have had an aching throat and sometimes ears for about 3 years and put it down to my central heating and my age. on 23rd feb this year I had a severe pain between my shoulderblades with the pain moving into my throat and teeth and ears. Put down to hiatus hernis but since this attack my sore throat and ears has not really improved. My question is " Can this blob cause me to have the aching throat and ears? I was checked out at cardiac centre and my heart is very good so not this.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more information.
First, if you've had these symptoms for three years then I think a tumor is to be ruled out.
Coming to your specific question, I don't consider it likely. Technically, depending on its precise location, it could predispose you to infections of the ear if it was blocking the Eustachian tube (a tube connecting the middle ear with your throat), It would be only on the one side however and doesn't explain the rest of the symptoms, so no, I don't think that is the cause.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for bringing some more information.
First, if you've had these symptoms for three years then I think a tumor is to be ruled out.
Coming to your specific question, I don't consider it likely. Technically, depending on its precise location, it could predispose you to infections of the ear if it was blocking the Eustachian tube (a tube connecting the middle ear with your throat), It would be only on the one side however and doesn't explain the rest of the symptoms, so no, I don't think that is the cause.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
and finally the white spots in my brain,the spots on one side being disportionate to the other side and a little bit larger which the neurologist could not justify putting these down to age. The report from the radiologist was not specific as far as I am aware but the neurologist offered me the lumbar puncture for a definitive diagnosis because my leg is weak and sometimes I trip over. a year ago I was told I had a trapped nerve in my back but the recent mri did not highlight this. My final question is " could it be possible I have MS. Am waiting for the lumbar puncture. I only went with a bad leg 3 years ago and it has taken to this time for the scans. thank you in advance for your valuable responses
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
It is hard to be precise without knowing more about the MRI, as I said before there is so much info it can provide, how these spots look on different sequences, their location, whether they enhance after contrast administration etc.
Well, MS is certainly a possible diagnosis when it comes to multiple spots in the brain associated with a neurological deficit. There is one thing which renders it unlikely though which is your age, it can be encountered at any age, but is very rare over the age of 50.
So since there are arguments pro and against it is correct to have the lumbar puncture done to exclude it.
Hopefully things will work out for the best.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
It is hard to be precise without knowing more about the MRI, as I said before there is so much info it can provide, how these spots look on different sequences, their location, whether they enhance after contrast administration etc.
Well, MS is certainly a possible diagnosis when it comes to multiple spots in the brain associated with a neurological deficit. There is one thing which renders it unlikely though which is your age, it can be encountered at any age, but is very rare over the age of 50.
So since there are arguments pro and against it is correct to have the lumbar puncture done to exclude it.
Hopefully things will work out for the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
