HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does The Brain CT Scan Report Indicate?

default
Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015
Question: I had a CT scan of the brain Oct 4 2014, and it showed a possible meningioma or osteoma. I have been having excruciating headaches on the right temple for many months, I had a comp;eye loss of vision and terrible pain several years ago and cannot tolerate bright light. I take Tylenol #4 and a Duragesic patch w fentanyl. I had an MRI done several weeks ago and now nothing is shown - the interpretation is that whatever I had was "artifactual". I have splitting headache daily, I need Imitrez, have had migraines since teenage. My Neurologist insists there is nothing wrong with me and he makes me feel like I am malingering! HELP!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The symptoms are suggestive of giant cell arteritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Healthcaremagic.
It is possible that the meningioma/ osteoma suspected on CT scan could actually be an artifact.
However, the symptoms of loss of vision, severe pain on temporal region of the head and inability to tolerate bright light raise the possibility of giant cell arteritis.
Giant cell arteritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder which affects the blood vessels in the temporal region.
The condition can be diagnosed after certain investigations like ESR and a vascular biopsy or biopsy of temporal artery.
Although giant cell arteritis is one of the possibility out of many others but it should be ruled out before looking for any other possibility.
I suggest you to consult your neurologist and request him to prescribe these investigations.

If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (23 minutes later)
I also have a Coronary Artery Disease which was just Dx last August. The vision loss and eye pain was ruled as cataract but they are not growing in size and do not appear to be getting larger. I am hiv+ 30 yrs no antigen non infectious v/l untraceable many yrs, I was born w Primary Immune Deficiency and was very sick for years as a baby - I had transfusions of GG - and wash;t expected to reach 6th birthday. I am taking meds for gout, shingles, reflux, seizure, anxiety. I stopped taking prozac after over 10 yrs - I had to switch MDs several times and was told I couldn't be prescribed percocet or ativan, my dosage of prozac was tripled, it almost killed me, I stopped it abruptly and went back to MD who now gives me Tylenol #4 , ativan and duragesic patch. The pain is severe is lessening but the headaches are continuos. THANK YOU for your Dx!!

I am very disappointed with my neurologist. When he learned of the CT scan (done in ER) he was abusive, hostile, dismissive and insisted that it could not possibly cause any pain - even before he viewed the results on the disc. When the MRI ruled out the tumor he was even more negative and actually insisted that it is impossible that I have migraine pain which (he's prescribed pamelor most recently) even though he has been treating this for over 15 yrs. He ordered many arcane blood tests (minerals, vitamins) and I feel that I cannot trust him. I will suggest the Giant Cell Arteritis with my other two internists and hopefully I can move forward with this situation. Many Many Thanks!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks and take care

Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care

Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shailja Puri

Pathologist and Microbiologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 9705 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Does The Brain CT Scan Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: The symptoms are suggestive of giant cell arteritis Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query on Healthcaremagic. It is possible that the meningioma/ osteoma suspected on CT scan could actually be an artifact. However, the symptoms of loss of vision, severe pain on temporal region of the head and inability to tolerate bright light raise the possibility of giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder which affects the blood vessels in the temporal region. The condition can be diagnosed after certain investigations like ESR and a vascular biopsy or biopsy of temporal artery. Although giant cell arteritis is one of the possibility out of many others but it should be ruled out before looking for any other possibility. I suggest you to consult your neurologist and request him to prescribe these investigations. If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer. Dr Shailja Puri