MRA of the Brain

[The Story Teller]

Here’s what the doctor in New Jersey says:





MRA of the Brain



12/27/03



IMPRESSION:



1. There is a tiny area of possible nodularity seen within a very short anterior communicating artery. This more than likely represents a normal variant but CTA of the anterior communicating artery region is recommended to exclude a tiny approximately 1-2 mm possible aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery region. Please note that my index of suspicion is low but I cannot be confident of this. The remainder of the MRA appears unremarkable. Please note that there is an area of chronic hemorrhage located adjacent to and involving the left calcarine fissure. I did review this on the source images, and there is dilatation of the adjacent sulci of the parietooccipital fissure, and the calcarine fissure on the left. This more than likely represents the patient’s prior therapy. Review of the MRI does not show any additional abnormalities in this region. I do note that there is a subcortical hyperintensity seen on the left side measuring about 4-5 mm at the level of the left auditory radiation seen on series #5, image #16. Also note that there appears to be prominence of the sulcus within the left cerebellum. There is an area at the base of this fissure which is quite prominent however, it does not show an evidence of gliotic change. I am not certain if this represents an area of infraction or not given the lack of gliosis. It certainly is a prominent sulcus terminating in an area of nodular cavitation measuring 7 x 10 mm. It makes the exclusion of an area of chronic infraction and/or encephalomalacia most difficult in the inferior left cerebellum.



Very truly yours,

Alfio K. Pennisi M.D.

 

[Pseud]

So that's good or bad?

 

[The Story Teller]

So that's good or bad?

Let me start by saying that I had Gamma Knife surgery for an arteriovenous malformation back on 5/22/89. Put simply, I had an aneurysm in my brain. Yes, this is the latest MRI of my brain. Bobbie and I went to Virginia and I had the Gamma Knife surgery preformed. Now over 14 years later the doctor in Virginia has stated that people that had this done are developing cyst on their brains. I was asked to have an MRI/MRA done to access if this was happing to me. Since I’m in New Jersey I had to have the local MRI place do it. The M.D. that read it has no idea what he’s looking at. His report is what he sees and no telling what is normal. He has nothing to compare it to. I’m sending the film down to Virginia on Monday. Then I’ll have to wait for the doctor to contact me and let me know what’s going on. After reading what this doctor wrote I’m not going to worry because like he said, he not really sure.



Richard