Brain MRI results

[v12alp]

Well, I went ahead and got myself a brain MRI w/contrast. My family doctor gave me a referral because I told her I didn't want CT scan due to radiation exposure. So I paid out of pocket and scheduled it for next day. The reason I got an MRI is because I complained of lightheartedness and frontal headache after 2 week bout of flu. I got my results which sent me into the worst anxiety of my life.

Results: Essentially negative brain MRI with and without contrast. Questionable, small, 7-8 mm pineal cyst, most likely an incidental finding.

My cyst had no enhancement post contrast injection which is a goof thing of course. Now MRI report is very brief. My main concern is radiologist's wording: QUESTIONABLE PINEAL CYST. I don't know what he means, whether it is questionable with respect to the reason why the study was done in the first place or it is abnormal/atypical. If it abnormal looking cyst why not to point it out, describe uncertainty, or any worrisome characteristic, and recommend a follow up, or further evaluation. I know that doctors, especially, radiologists always try to cover their asses if there is something questionable. I'm very upset because my PCP is on vacation and will be back Monday. Maybe I'm just reading into the report too much without having any advance knowledge of subject. Any advice is appreciated.   

[oregoncoastlady]

If it was anything truly serious, it wouldn't matter if your doctor was on vacation. They would contact whoever is covering his patients while he is gone. If the radiologist thought it was serious, he would have suggested a follow up of some kind. 7 mm is about a quarter of an inch. That's pretty tiny. Have you called your doctors office and talked to anyone? Explained your anxiety about this? Maybe another doctor there could ease your mind.

[v12alp]

I completely agree with you. I was able to reach my doctor and spoke with another physician who I came across before through the nature of my work. My primary told me that if there was even a slight suspicion of anything wrong they would have contacted or found her regardless of being on vacation. In addition she said that I was most likely born with it. The second physician told me to stop reading into the radiologist's wording and given that no recommendation for any kind of follow up given means that they just want to cover their 0104 due the inherent uncertain nature of the cyst in that region. Me, being an outrageous hypochondriac, was clearly not satisfied with the answers. I curse the day when I electively went I got that damn MRI without truly concerning symptoms.

[oregoncoastlady]

MRI's are expensive and you paid for it?  That's pretty hard core, even for a hypochondriac! But, I would imagine if a hypochondriac could afford it, they would get all kinds of tests until the doctor cut them off. Um...I think lightheadedness/dizziness and sinus issues/frontal headache are typical cold/flu symptoms, right? I'm surprised the doctor agreed to let you get the MRI. It sounds like you were pretty insistant though. Health anxiety can turn a basic symptom into something sinister and deadly.  Do you at least feel better that you don't have a brain tumor?

[v12alp]

To be honest with you, my doctor has figured out a while ago that I'm a difficult patient with respect to being convinced that everything is fine simply based on clinical presentation. I have always demanded  more objective tests even though deep inside I knew that I was going over board with this. My PCP has already given me sample of Lexapro which I refused to take because of potential side effects; hence, she realized that it was easier for everyone to send me to various tests that I wanted to get. And, yes, I went ahead and paid for the MRI because I wanted to get it done fast. I'm glad that I do not have a brain tumor, but now I question radiologist, and dwell on that freaking "questionable" term. Based on my research, cysts with no enhancement post contrast injection especially with no mass effect, and small size, are not concerning, but I can't stop thinking about what if. I do find it bizarre for radiologist to describe benign cyst and at the same time to question himself, and give no further recommendation, or contacting my physician if he was not sure.

[oregoncoastlady]

I assume you plan on talking to your doctor when she gets back from vacation. Is there anything that will convince you that this is a harmless cyst? I mean, will you need to get a biopsy to ease your mind? I just wondered how far you will go before you will believe you are okay? If your doctor says she is not worried about it, will you be okay with that? I would imagine that the word "questionable" is used pretty often by doctors. When they see a cyst-like mass they can't really commit themselves to what it is exactly because that would back them into a corner. Maybe a neurologist can be more specific. If a neurologist said it was nothing, would you be able to put this out of your mind?

[v12alp]

I understand, it is our anxious nature. I will not go as far as biopsy because it is very dangerous and no one will do it unless multiple follow up MRI indicate it. I have to learn to accept it and live with it, maybe doing period MRIs to check for stability. I think I would definitely trust neurologist or neurosurgeon. It is strange that I question a radiologist who has been practicing for many years and reads these MRIs on daily basis. I have completely lost my mind. I know if there is anything questionable they always recommend further work up or more detailed slicing of mri.

[marc]

I agree with you that it is in our nature to question results. I go to a retina specialist yearly as I
have a very tiny growth way in the back of my left eye. It can't be removed as it would damage
my eyesight. It is benign, and I try not to think about it and I have pretty much learned to live
with it, even though, I must admit that when my eye bothers me, I sometimes worry that it
is becoming malignant.

[floridaguy65]

Hi v:) Ultimately, if you want the chance to have some longer-term relief from amped up HA / Anxiety, you'll have to move away from medical intervention. Your actions and habits will keep you locked up in fear cycles and leave you little opportunity to begin to move down a viable healing path. Med tests are bandaids...sure they might help us peg down our dominant anxiety in the short-term, but they actually are pretty darn counterproductive for us in learning how to better live alongside our mental health challenges. The stress and anxiety and panic and fear of the whole med testing process, for HA peeps, simply cannot be discounted as a driving factor in cementing us into a longer lasting fear cycle, ultimately. Once the 'feeling pretty good about the results' smokescreen wears off then we are still left pretty much where we started....doubting and worrying. HA has always worked this way and it always will, as far as unneeded med testing is concerned. I know, we feel that these med tests ARE needed....but history and experience has shown us that, overwhelmingly, they are not. Seems your health is OK, overall Have you ever been told otherwise? When our health is OK (whether we believe it or not), then there is no need for Doc visits. Period (until yearly checkups). The focus has to be on mental health and continuing to do the best things for our bods - diet, exercise and stress reduction. The road to some lasting peace from anxiety is not inside an MRI tube...under a CT machine...in giving another vial of blood...having another EKG, etc. Never has been....never will be.

What's going on in your anxiety help? Self-help?

Peace and Feel Well:)

[mollyfin]

More than 20% of people have benign pineal gland cysts.  They don't turn into cancer.  You're fine.  Now work on your health anxiety instead of worrying about this :)

[v12alp]

Nothing is going on with my health anxiety or self-help. As many of you know, health anxiety is cyclical. Some days are good and some are pure nightmare. I need help, I'm tired of being in denial, and falsely assuming that it is the last test, and I will go seek help.

[Borisbmx]

  pineal gland is considered the  part of the 3rd eye or  seat of the soul.    It would be nice to have a good one,  so i  keep away from  fluoride and mercury.

[v12alp]

Or not to be born with it :)