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Is Radiation Therapy Safe?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014

Question:
I have received in the last 2 months a CBCT and a CT (head)
And also a dental xray and a lung x ray as well.

Is that too much which increases the risk for any kind of cancer?

Thanks for your help

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No risk of any cancers

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
The investigations you have undergone are cone beam CT scan for dental reasons, CT scan head, dental X ray and chest X ray.

The cumulative dose from these investigations is much below the radiation dose sufficient to cause any cancer in an adult male of your age.

Please do not worry over it but do inform your doctor if there is a need for CT scan of any other part of the body.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 minutes later)

Hello Doctor,

Thank you sir.

I am happy that I am answered by a Radiologist with this question, I expected to be answered by a normal GP.

This concern came to me just today after reading an article about the risks over 20 years from an exposure to a CT scan. But I also read that the radiation of a brain ct scan (regular with no contrast) is about 1-2 msv (Like what you get in 8 months). From a chest x-ray is minimum. But I have no idea about the CBCT.

But I was concerning about the risk for the future. only the idea of the so much radiation, this means that I have had a radiation in 2-3 months as much as the one I am allowed to get in a year.

This is the reason of my concern.

Do you still think I have to have rest in mind? however I got what I got and I can't turn it back.

Thanks doctor.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Risk essentially concerns children under 15

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

In cone beam CT, the radiation is much less when compared to CT brain without contrast. I see no risk in you getting these investigations done in 3 months.

The risk of any possible cancer is present especially in children under 15 years age and getting 3 or more CT scan investigations.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (3 days later)

Hello Doctor,

Just had couple of other questions which I wanted to get answers on. If possible.

Can you just roughly tell me how many msv I might had during the scans I have done? Let me describe you how it happened:

I have a whooshing sound in my left ear. For this I first went to my gp. Then dentist where a single xray was provided.

From dentist to TMJ specialist. There they provided a CBCT to see if my tinnitus was not from any TMJ problems. So I dont know if they scan the whole head in this case by a CBCT device?

After that there was an MRI provided after a consult with a neurologist and nothing found.

I also was referred to an ENT who provided a hearing test and then sent me for a CT scan specially to see my hearing organ (auditory system) if he could find something there. Do they scan the whole head here as well? Or the only pay attention in radiation to the XXXXXXX around the target ear?

After this I have had coughing problems which required a chest x ray. I think they made 2 x rays. from 2 possession. One from behind and one from a side.

Can you slightly tell me how many msv I received in total and in each exposure? About 10? or much and much less?

I really have my worries from the articles I have read on internet. If I believe them, then I have taken so much radiations now as much as somebody in Hiroshima !!!

I hope you can help me getting calm from my worries.

Thanks.

XXXX
Age: 37
Place of scans : Holland

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

The dental X ray may give 0.010 millisieverts.
The CBCT radiation dose is approximately 0.200 millisieverts.
The CT scan (complete head) radiation dose is approximately 2.0 millsieverts.
The x ray chest two positions may give 0.1 millisieverts

There fore total radiation dose might be approximately 2.31 millisieverts.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (17 minutes later)

Thanks doctor,

I just called my ent and he told me that the ct scan was for my ear which means the mastoids? Would the amount of msv not be less in this case ? Or do they normally scan the whole head for this ?

And even if 2.31 do I still not have to be worried a all?

Would you be worried if you had this all in this period?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

I understand that the CBCT scan was for the ear and CT scan head was also one later. Please correct me if I am wrong and even then if we take the maximum possible dose it is 2.31 millisieverts.

There is no reason to worry and I would not really care about this insignificant amount of radiation done as a medical procedure.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (11 minutes later)

Sorry. No.

The ct was done to investigate the ear. I called the ent and he told me that he ordered the ct mastoids to be provided..

I also called the dentist and he told me that no cbct was done for my tmj but just an X-ray which I will attach now. Just an X-ray for the mouth.

So I was wondering if the ct mastoids will require the same radiation of a complete head ?

And the X-ray attached might be little more than a normal dentist X-ray

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

The CT mastoids may give radiation dose of 0.36 millisieverts which is much less than CT scan complete head which is 2.0 millisieverts.

The dental X ray is a panoraminc view and might have given a radiation dose of 0.01 millisieverts.

As mentioned earlier the chest X rays will give a dose of 0.1 millisieverts.

Therefore the total radiation dose is 0.47 millisieverts. There is no reason to worry.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (7 days later)

Dear doctor,

My MRI showed I have a lipoma in my brain as showed on pictures attached. Can you give me some information about how worried I should be about that? Is the MRI a proper tool to diagnose this?

And

After some collection of information i think I have had all my information about the X-rays I have received.

I don't know what makes me worried but I think reading some articles is the reason of all these worries. And to be honest I don't know where to be with me questions.. A radiologist? Or other specialist? I am lost. I don't know why I have the feeling that I really had lots of X-rays made to me in the last period.. I just have lots of worries about catching a cancer from this..

I think in total I have received 12 X-rays of teeth over a time of 15 years

One X-ray of foot 2 years ago

One X-ray of my back ( spine) 2 years ago ( this was made in Iraq so the machine can be old and give lots of radiation.

One of my shoulders 2 years ago, this was made at the same time of the X-ray back with the same machine

2 x lung X-rays one 4 years ago and one a 2 weeks ago

I remember once they made an X-ray while I was opening my mouth to rule out any Romanism illness. I didn't have that at the end.

1 x ct mastoids a month ago

I am now a male of 37 years old.

Is this much if radiation a bit concerning for me?

When does the risk raise to be mark able ?

Is there any percentage of risk?

Is the risk proven?

Is the risk based on how much radiation the person receives in short periods or at the same time or the risk is calculated based on all the scans and X-rays over the age years?

Doctor please help me understand.

I know I might be too late with this question after this much if scans an X-rays.. Isn't it just too much?

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (5 minutes later)

Would also be possible to give me some details about the total msv received?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

MRI is the best imaging modalities to evaluate a lipoma in the brain and a Neurosurgeon is the doctor you should be consulting for your problem. As the picture is not too clear, may I request you to send across the report page so that I can interpret the problem more precisely.

Re calculation of cumulative radiation
The dental X ray may give 0.010 millisieverts x 12 = 0.12 mSv.
One X-ray of foot 2 years ago = 0.001 mSv
One X-ray of my back ( spine) 2 years ago = 1.5 mSv
The x ray chest x 2 = 0.2 mSv
The CT mastoids may give radiation dose of 0.36 millisieverts

Total calculated cumulative radiation = 2.181 mSv

Total radiation received in a year at any time is less than 2 mSv

Therefore there is no need to worry.

This is the cumulative report
Study      # of exams     Dose (mSv)     Additional Cancer Risk(%)

Lower Back x-rays          1     1.5      0.011778%
Chest x-ray (2 views)          1     0.1      0.000785%
Chest x-ray (2 views)          1     0.1      0.000785%
Foot x-rays      1     0.001      0.000008%
Dental x-ray (panoramic)     12     0.12      0.000942%
Mastoids CT           1     0.36      0.002827%

      Totals:     17     2.181 mSv       0.017125%

An Additional Cancer Risk of 0.017125% is equal to 1 in 5839 chances.

Or said another way, a 99.982875% chance of having no effect of the above studies.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (4 hours later)

So do you think I have more than normal cumulative dose than the normal average? Or you think it's normal amount of msv for my age?

From now I will be very careful of X-rays

Regarding the lipoma , I was diagnosed by a neurologist.. I have a video of the MRI but the page doesn't allow me to upload it as it's big.
Do you often see lipomas of brain? Or they are very very rare and I'm one of the unluckiest?

Last question about this lipoma

Does this mean that the MRI done was with fat suppression? Is that standard during the MRI / MRA procedure?

Or there should be another one made with fat suppression?

Is a ct scan not needed to confirm in this case

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

Your dose is in normal limits of cumulative dosage.
Lipomas are seen rarely in the brain with incidence of 0.03% or 0.046% in all brain tumor

As radiologists we are exposed to more radiation during our residencies.

You are an alert individual who cares about radiation and I am glad we are getting the facts right.

CT scan is not required to confirm a lipoma and fat suppression might have been done in your case.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (52 minutes later)

Can you please explain me that fat compression thing? Is that a setting on the software ? Or is that something must have been done during the exam on the machine itself?

I think I can be sure as my neurologist told me that they were assured that this was nothing except a lipoma..

So based on the report I attached do you think that this is most probably a lipoma?
What would you need to see to be able to know for sure?

Thanks in advance

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing in with an update.

The fat suppression is a MRI sequence of radio frequency waves and can be considered as an additional sequence taken to study any fat containing structures as the suspected lipoma in your case. It is an additional program run while taking images.

Lipomas are white on T 1 and T 2 and dark on fat suppression sequences. Entire image series needs to be evaluated consisting of optimum digital images suitable for interpretation.

Else you may send me the report copy which might include the imaging characteristics and technical details which I will explain to you in simple language.

At the same time I respect your neurologists opinion if he has confirmed it to be a lipoma after seeing all the images.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)

This is a translation of my report from dutch

MRI BRIDGE CORNER
MRI cerebrum according bridge angle and 3D TOF MRA protocol . MRI elsewhere d.d.
March 20, 2014 for comparison.

The flair image shows normal wide central and peripheral liquor spaces.
Gyri and sulci of normal construction . No focal white matter lesions . flair
hyperintensity left against the falx slice 4-7 . The maximum for backward
diameter of 2.7 cm, with a shell thickness of about 4 mm. The deviation follows
the signal intensity of fat in all of the sequences . differential diagnostic
image of ossification of the falx with central marrow fat Be it lipoma .
No malignant characteristics .
Normal aspect of basal ganglia , thalamus , cerebellum and stem .
Normal origin and course nerve VII and VIII . Normal relationship with AICA
run to the left . Also right no indication of neurovascular
conflict. Relationship with AICA run right around 49 slice well beyond nerve root
entry zone . Bilaterally normal aspect of the labyrinth .
The MRA study shows normal anatomy . In particular, the normal course of
internal carotid artery . No evidence of aneurysms or vascular malformations
otherwise .

CONCLUSION :
No explanatory pathology for clinic described . As a coincidental finding
hyperintense area left against the falx , DD see report .

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (27 minutes later)

Can you tell me if the fat suppression is done here?

I really hope you can find it out from the pictures and movies I now attached.

Please find the pictures I attached. I called them flair 1 to flair 6.
Each Number is for a one time click.

Would it be a fatty falx?

Some additional information about the imaging:
I see on the software the following images:

1- Smart Brain (100 images)
2- T2W_Vista (57 Images)
3- Flair (28 images)
4- DDWI ADC (28 images)
5- Iso DVI B1000 (28 Images)
And then other imaging for arteries. Which are i think not necessary here.

I hope this helps as well.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in with an update.

I have gone through the videos and find that the possibility of fat in the falx may be considered. For it to be called an interhemispheric lipoma, it should have been larger and associated with structural abnormalities of corpus callosum as in most patients. Right now it should not worry you much. Presently it is very small to cause any concern. You may get another MRI done after about a year and most likely it will remain the same.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

So in this case the fat suppression is done during my MRI you think?

Does this grow this quick to cause problems?

Would this be with me since my birth?

How quick they normally grow?

And wouldn't it be mistaken by fatty falx?

Did you also see the pictures attached ?

And what do you mean with

it should have been larger and associated with structural abnormalities of corpus callosum as in most patients

Does this mean that mine looks very good and safe?

At THE end If it grows would that be dangerious ?

Can I be kind of rested that this is not cancer?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in with an update.

I am unable to see any fat saturation images

It is very slow growing and not fast enough to cause problems in the location in you.

Intracranial lipomas are by birth and do not change in size.

Small ones can be mistaken for fatty falx but then lipomas are associated with other problems which are not seen in you.

Yes I have seen the pictures attached.

The lipomas in brain are usually larger as compared to yours and also have other structural defect which you don’t have.

You are safe right now. Hopefully it will not grow and it is not a cancer. Should it grow and cause any related symptoms then a neurosurgeon needs to be consulted.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (32 minutes later)

Thank you.. So just to confirm,

according to the report and videos and pictures, this MRI is done without fat suppression and at the end we are not sure this is a lipoma or cancer as you wrote hopefully it's not a cancer?

How can I know there fat saturation images? I'm not able to speak to the radiologist here as it's a strange system ,..

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in with an update.

I confirm that it is not a cancer hence no need to get worried.
The lipoma is obvious as it shows all the characteristics of fat containing structures and fat saturation is only a double confirmation. The images sent are not fat saturation but then your doctor has not really missed the finding.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (47 minutes later)

Many thanks for your patient..

As u see , I recharged again. This form costs lots of money but I don't care as long as I get the good information.
I attached the last picture to check if this is not fat saturation image.. Hope you can take a look to it.

What would the radiologist has bee doneor measured to see its fat? Any frequentie measured? Or technique doen?

Probably a new technique is there on this machine which I think it's tesla 3 which can give a 100% confirmation about fat it any other tissue ?

Can fat saturation be done from these images ? Or I have to redo the MRI? Is it not a standard MRI procedure?

What would you do if you were me? Any advise? Is a confirmation a must as protocol? My neuro didn't even mention a follow up..

How can a radiologist know this is not a cancer?

I know I have paid to get answers but at the end I really apologize for so much questions.. I feel a shame but at the end I have a lovely family where I have to take care of as long as I can.

Trust me my concerns are not to het a treatment for a lipoma later if needed as I'm not nervous from surgeries. I know it's location is very easy if treatment is required which is a luck ( I have been told by the neurologist about this).

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in with an update.

Your anxiety is understood and I want to help you in the best possible way and to the best of my knowledge in medicine.

May I request you to please upload your MRI scan CD/ DVD files to an uploader like dropbox of mediafire and send me the link. I will download and go through the pictures in detail as I do for my patients. Once I see the actual images in digital format using professional software at my end, the way your doctor has seen them, I will give you an accurate interpretation.

My best wishes for the good health of your family.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Hello again,

I have zipped and uploaded 2 MRI scans

One was done on the 20th of March with I think tesla 1.5

The other one was done on 9th of may with probably tesla 3 or 2 which was an MRA as well

Please find the 2 links below ( sadly I think they are both without fat suppression) and if so then I'm very surprised how my neurologist made diagnosis .. I hope you can help me out.

http://www.mediafire.com/maamuev1wzvmae2

http://www.mediafire.com/0j9e1dejjbo0z4u

If I have to pay something please send me your bank details.

Truly Many thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Links giving error messages

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

I am trying the links provided by you but sorry to say that the following message is getting displayed on the mediafire website.

"This page cannot be found...

The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable."

May I request you to upload again and confirm your links please.

There is no need to pay anything extra for reading your MRI scans and I am glad to be helping you out with your query.

Waiting for the correct and working links in your next message.

If you are having problems with your uploader then you may send me links from multiple uploaders and I will check each of them.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (5 hours later)

On flair image 16 and 17 I see a white spot as well. But I have no idea if this is a lipoma as well.. Hopefully is this nothing

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

I have had a look at both the scans and find that this is a lipoma and it is quite small in size to be causing any problems in the future. Please be relaxed and I reassure you that it is not a concern now or in the future. I have heard of a person having exactly similar finding as you and he is absolutely normal.

Images 16 - 17 FLAIR are normal.

I made a translation of your report from Dutch to English and you may keep it for future reference.

Please do not worry about sending money as you have recharged your subscription. I am glad to be helping you out with your query and my token amount of about 2$ US per recharge will be directed to me as per rules.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Report translation in English given below

REPORTING RONTGEN RESEARCH
Visit Date : 09-05-14 Report Date : 12-05-14
Radiologist : XXXXX Authorized !
Typinf : AT / /
Ref : 27765
Laboratory Technician : ND

Subject : XXXXXXXX XX-XX-XXXX [ M ]

Applicant : XXXXXX X. Neuroscience

QUESTIONS / CLINICAL INFORMATION
Pulsatile tinnitus eci . On previous MRI possible neurovascular conflict.
Also exclude vascular malformation .

MRI BRIDGE CORNER
MRI cerebrum according bridge angle and 3D TOF MRA protocol . MRI elsewhere d.d.
March 20, 2014 for comparison.

The FLAIR image shows normal wide central and peripheral liquor spaces. Gyri and sulci of normal construction. No focal white matter lesions. FLAIR hyperintensity left against the falx slice 4-7. The maximum for anteroposterior diameter of 2.7 cm, with a thickness of about 4 mm. The lesion follows the signal intensity of fat in all of the sequences. Differential diagnostic image of ossification of the falx with central marrow fat. However it is most likely a lipoma . No malignant characteristics.

Normal aspect of basal ganglia , thalamus , cerebellum and stem . Normal origin and course nerve VII and VIII . Normal relationship with AICA run to the left . Also right no indication of neurovascular conflict. Relationship with AICA run right around 49 slice well beyond nerve root entry zone. Bilaterally normal aspect of the labyrinth The MRA study shows normal anatomy . In particular, the normal course of internal carotid artery. No evidence of aneurysms or vascular malformations otherwise.

CONCLUSION :
No explanatory pathology for clinical symptoms described. As a coincidental finding hyperintense area left against the falx – lipoma, for DD see report above.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (20 minutes later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Chail

I couldnt leave it and not recharge before i Thank you for this work and time spent to reassure me.. Really Very kind of you. And so many thanks for translating my report :) I'm so greatful.

I Will try to Find your linked in and add you to have my contact details in case If you need anything.

I had a small request and It wont be a problem If you cant do that because i CAn try THE page admin..
For privacy reasons I wished to not have my real name and doctors name published on the report.. But again, if you can't I will try through the admins..

So great to have been in touch with you

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Fat suppression is not required in your case as the area shows uniform presence of fat.

Your neurologist has given the right opinion that you do not need to follow up for the lipoma.

Every possible care is taken to remove names of individuals and doctors before archiving any query. I suppose your name and that of your doctors will be anonymized by the admins. You may also put in an additional request directly to the admins.

I will be glad to be helping you out in the future too.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (9 days later)

Dear doctor XXXXXXX

Hope you are fine..

I spoke to my neurologist and another radiologist and they all are confirming like you do that this is not malignant..

But there were at the first stage doughts as in the report that this is either a lipoma or falx calcification..

Can you maybe tell me why they are kind of sure it's lipoma and not calcification of falx? I couldn't get a clear answer from my neurologist...

Thank you in advance
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Difference in appearance of lipoma & calcification

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I am doing well.
Glad to hear from you and hope you are doing fine too.

There is a lot of difference in the appearance of lipoma and falx calcification.

Lipoma contains fat and therefore is usually bright in most sequences.
Calcification is dark in all sequences and that would have been obvious had it been the case with you.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (43 hours later)

Thanks doctor.

Can we say it's a fatty falx?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fatty falx can be made alternative diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in with an update.

I have reviewed medical literature on fatty falx based on a research XXXXXXX in 2000 and find that of the 1,570 cases studied, 115 revealed a small amount of fat in the cerebral falx. This fat had a purely negative Hounsfield value. It produced a high signal on both T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. There was no calcified component. The fat was seen most commonly in aged patients. No related symptoms were noted. This makes it a fairly common condition.

In your case the fat falx can be a second diagnosis, after the lipoma. However both conditions are harmless and better left alone.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

May I request you to send in your next query on Monday as I will be busy travelling over the weekend.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D