More succinct question regarding MRIs
From: Vivian (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 8 Aug 2000 21:15:18 -0500 (CDT)
Goodness......I was so busy venting that I didn't really ask my question
very well! Here it is...
Does a "breast MRI" only look at breast tissue, or does it do an entire
"cross-section" type look at the whole torso, just in the breast region?
Doesn't a "regular" chest MRI take an entire cross-section (for lack of
a better word) of the chest?
Just trying to understand exactly what the folks were looking at when
they did my MRI. The radiologist who did my sonogram put in his report
that he felt my mass might be under the chest wall (I read the report)
so I was wondering if they were even looking in the right place.
Thanks
At Tue, 8 Aug 2000, Lynn D. Montgomery, MD wrote:
>
>At Tue, 8 Aug 2000, Vivian wrote:
>>
>>I have had a lump superior to my left breast-found in May--and pain in
>>my chest. I have had a mammogram& sonogram, which were negative. I
>>then was refered to a general surgeon, who said it was not breast
>>tissue, but swelling due the my scoliosis. At 37 years old it was the
>>first I'd heard that I had scoliosis, but she seemed sure. I then went
>>to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis to see how I
>>could manage the pain from this. After his examination he said I
>>definitely do not have scoliosis. SOOOoooo, I called the surgeon back
>>and told her nurse I am stil having the pain (4 weeks or so later) and
>>she scheduled me for a "breast MRI". Same surgeon who declared this was
>>not a breast lump. Okay, so I had the breast MRI. Her nurse just
>>called and told me "the results of the MRI are normal, and Dr. "DOE"
>>recommends you follow up with yearly exams with a primary care-giver".
>>
>>Okay, so I'm venting a little here. My question is--did this MRI just
>>look at breast tissue, which she already told me was normal, or did it
>>look at things on my chest wall, which are definitely NOT normal. I
>>have knot the size of a pecan--not normal for me, anyway.
>>
>>Any advice for me on my next step? I'm ready to cry! I just want
>>something to help the pain go away (and the lump too if possible) but I
>>feel like I'm running to stand still!
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>
>>--
>>Vivian
>>
>Vivian,
>As I have said before here on the Forum several times, you have a mass,
>you are 37 years old and you need a diagnosis. At this point, you don't
>have a diagnosis. I am not saying you have a tumor, but failure to
>diagnose a breast tumor is one of the leading causes of medical
>litigation currently.
>I would make an appointment with your current surgeon and simply ask
>what the lesion is. If you do not get a satisfactory answer, then I
>would seek another opinion and don't stop until you get a definitive
>diagnosis...
>Lynn
>
>--
>Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
>Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
>Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
>Missoula, Montana
>
>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
>
>**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.
>
>**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
>
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