Kim's head CT scan(s)???

[Guest guest]

Your welcome Kim. Here is my interpretation of this report...to the best of my

ability.

Today's examination is conpared to 1/18/1999 5 mm axial slices were obtained

from the skull base to the skull apex with and without contrast,both brain and

bone windows are presented for interpretation The ventricles are normal in size,

shape and position (no bleed). No midline shift or mass effect is identified

(also good - means that there is no bleed causing the brain to shift to one

side). No intraaxial or intraparenchymal hemorrhage is identified (again - no

bleed). No focal parenchymal abnormalities are identified. Th ere is no

abnormal contrast enhancement seen. Bone windows show no evidence of depressed

skull fracture. Paranasal sinuses, mastoid air cells are well pneumatized.

IMPRESSION: Essentially negative CT scan of the head.

Okay, now I'm more confused than ever. (I'm not sure - otehr than everything

looked good on the CT) Where is the mass? (It appears as if the mass did not

show up on this CT scan) What is essentially negative mean? (I believe that

this means that, based on what they saw without contrast, it was negative. Does

this mean that the mass is soft or like a cyst or just what? Does that mean

that calcification is ruled out? Do I now need a MRI to figure out what the

mass is? Please help! Does it mean that a subarachnoid bleed is ruled out as

well?

I'm really confused now? Thanks Kim

OK - I believe that they have ruled out a subarachnoid bleed - or a bleed of any

sort. It does not appear that they saw any kind of mass on this CT scan either -

otherwise they would have mentioned it. This could be because they did not use

any kind of contrast. Or it might not be.... It could be swelling of some

sort - but that usually shows up on a normal CT scan. What this report tells me

is that everything is normal. But I'm not sure what it means compared to the

other report. But the fact that it is not a bleed is a good thing! I know this

is easier said than done, but try not to worry about it!!!!!

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