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What Does The Following Brain MRI Report Indicate?
Question: Neurologist ordered a brain MRI due to reoccurring sharp headaches above my right ear. He said he didn't think it was anything serious but with my Neurofibromatosis type I, he wanted to make sure there was no chance of Tumors. The MRI radiologist gave me his report. This is what it said, What does it mean?
"Diffusion -weighted images do not show any acute or subacute areas of infarction. There are minimal mucosal changes with in the ethmoid air cells. The remaining paranasal sinuses are clear as are the mastoid air cells. The cerebellar tonsils are mildly beaked but not low in position. The area by MRI appears somewhat tight. I cannot however, say that there is a true Chiari malformation. If necessary a followup Cine flow study may be helpful. Conclusion: 1) A Chiari malformation cannot be definitely verified 2) The remainder of the brain is unremarkable. 3) Mild ethmoid air cell disease 4) if symptoms persist a follow up Cine flow study may be helpful. Correlation with a followup MRA of the brain w/out gadolinium may be helpful. DXP: 784.0 "
"Diffusion -weighted images do not show any acute or subacute areas of infarction. There are minimal mucosal changes with in the ethmoid air cells. The remaining paranasal sinuses are clear as are the mastoid air cells. The cerebellar tonsils are mildly beaked but not low in position. The area by MRI appears somewhat tight. I cannot however, say that there is a true Chiari malformation. If necessary a followup Cine flow study may be helpful. Conclusion: 1) A Chiari malformation cannot be definitely verified 2) The remainder of the brain is unremarkable. 3) Mild ethmoid air cell disease 4) if symptoms persist a follow up Cine flow study may be helpful. Correlation with a followup MRA of the brain w/out gadolinium may be helpful. DXP: 784.0 "
Brief Answer:
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Regularly I come across patients referred for MRI for headaches.
Please find your MRI scan details explained below
1. Diffusion -weighted images do not show any acute or subacute areas of infarction.
This means that there is no acute signs of stroke. This is a normal finding.
2. There are minimal mucosal changes with in the ethmoid air cells. The remaining paranasal sinuses are clear as are the mastoid air cells.
This shows the presence of mild inflammation in ethmoid air cells which is located above the nose. This is not a concern.
3. The cerebellar tonsils are mildly beaked but not low in position.
This is a condition which can be seen in a congenital condition but this is only partially fulfilling the criteria. It is not confirming the presence of the condition as the cerebellar tonsils are normal placed. The said condition, in those who have it, can present with headaches when the pressure inside the head is increased like laughing or straining.
4. The remainder of the brain is unremarkable.
This means that the rest of brain is perfectly normal.
5. If symptoms persist a follow up Cine flow study may be helpful.
A cine flow study is an MRI study that is done to study the flow of spinal fluid through the area of the foramen magnum (suspected area of beaking described above). The procedure remains the same as MRI scan. This will study in detail if there is obstruction due to the beaking of cerebellar tonsils and whether that might be causing your headaches.
6. Correlation with a followup MRA of the brain w/out gadolinium may be helpful.
This is also another MRI scan sequence where the blood vessels supplying the brain are studied. This procedure is also the same as MRI scan. It will focus on the blood supply and enable to look for any abnormal blood vessels in brain that might be responsible for the headaches.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find details below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Regularly I come across patients referred for MRI for headaches.
Please find your MRI scan details explained below
1. Diffusion -weighted images do not show any acute or subacute areas of infarction.
This means that there is no acute signs of stroke. This is a normal finding.
2. There are minimal mucosal changes with in the ethmoid air cells. The remaining paranasal sinuses are clear as are the mastoid air cells.
This shows the presence of mild inflammation in ethmoid air cells which is located above the nose. This is not a concern.
3. The cerebellar tonsils are mildly beaked but not low in position.
This is a condition which can be seen in a congenital condition but this is only partially fulfilling the criteria. It is not confirming the presence of the condition as the cerebellar tonsils are normal placed. The said condition, in those who have it, can present with headaches when the pressure inside the head is increased like laughing or straining.
4. The remainder of the brain is unremarkable.
This means that the rest of brain is perfectly normal.
5. If symptoms persist a follow up Cine flow study may be helpful.
A cine flow study is an MRI study that is done to study the flow of spinal fluid through the area of the foramen magnum (suspected area of beaking described above). The procedure remains the same as MRI scan. This will study in detail if there is obstruction due to the beaking of cerebellar tonsils and whether that might be causing your headaches.
6. Correlation with a followup MRA of the brain w/out gadolinium may be helpful.
This is also another MRI scan sequence where the blood vessels supplying the brain are studied. This procedure is also the same as MRI scan. It will focus on the blood supply and enable to look for any abnormal blood vessels in brain that might be responsible for the headaches.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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