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What Does My CT Scan Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2015

Question: My wife fell down the stairs today, and thought she might have a concussion. So they did a Cat scan, and now she's terrified, because the doctor just told her that she should have a bone density test, because there was a small "shadow" on the left forehead, frontal lobe area. She is a nervous woman, and is about to collapse completely. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The ct-scan report is required...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns and am really sorry for the accident your wife had today.

First, try to calm her and yourself down. Usually, medical team does not run final conclusions without running specific tests and get the results.

Second, can you please provide the report of her Ct-scan, so I can analyze it myself and give a more specific answer?

Next, the small "shadow" noted on her left forehead, frontal lobe area might be related to the fall she experienced. I need to read the results myself before going further with diagnosis.

Thank you!
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (5 minutes later)

I don't have the scan itself. I was just speaking to the doctor who got the report. He says now that the small "shadow" was not on the brain but in or on the bone, and that's why they recommended a bone density test. She is 60 years old, and so the "shadow" may be a thinness in the bone; he says that the radiologist did not say that it was cancer, but wanted to cover all the possibilities. I asked whether the shadow could have been caused by the fall, and he thought it hadn't been, because it was too small and too local. Meanwhile my wife is terrified .....

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Previous trauma/loss of bone density due to aging are also to consider...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Please try to calm your wife down and not to get terrified unnecessarily until the reports of bone density test are in.

To my opinion, if the shadow did not resulted from the fall, then, it might be due to another accident she might experienced early in life or any other damages of the bones due to aging.

For the moment, try to relax and wait for the bone density test to run and get the results in.

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (38 minutes later)

Hello Doctor -- she has now told me that she suffered three serious blows to that part of the skull when she was small -- three freak accidents requiring stitches --

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
That is explaining the shadow;must wait for bone density results first...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

That is explaining the shadows in her frontal skull. So, nothing to worry for the moment. You should calm your wife down, and get the bone density test done because we want to make sure osteoporosis is not developing in her bones (as this is very common among patients of her age).

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (16 minutes later)

Dear Doctor Albana,

Many thanks for your reply! Another two questions: is it all right for her to take a pain killer such as ibuprofen or tylenol? If so, which? She is hurting badly. Also: since she is nervous and frightened, is it all right for her to take Xanax? She has some on hand.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (29 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can use Tylenol alternating with Ibuprofen;and Xanax too..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Sorry for the late reply due to my XXXXXXX clinical work overload.

I understand your concerns. She can also consult with her caring doctor about what to use to reduce pain and anxiety.

To my opinion, yes, she can take a tylenol for the moment alternating with only one ibuprofen/daily (as ibuprofen might increase the risk for bleeding).

Xanax is also ok to reduce her anxiety.

However, I still think she should follow up with her caring doctor.

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Albana

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