CT scan showing white area - how long for MRI referral?

[issynoho]

I'm hoping someone knowledgeable about NICE/NHS guidelines can help here - DH had a head CT scan this week following an RTA 2 months ago (he was referred about 4 weeks ago after his concussion lingered).
His results came back to the GP who said the scan show a white area that needed to be explained/things ruled out.
DH is not v good with medical stuff and obviously in shock so can't recall all that was said.
How soon should he be getting the MRI? And does his case come under any particular guidelines for treatment and speed of referrals?

[issynoho]

Bump

[youarenotkiddingme]

I've no idea about guidelines but recent experience my family are having with NHS they are quick when they need to be.

Do you know which department DH has been referred to? Is it straight to MRI or via neurology? You can contact department in hospital and ask if they have a referral and any idea on waiting time. They triage all referrals through the system according to need.

[issynoho]

Thanks, I'll get DH to ask.

[Witchend]

Dh did research in MRI brain scans. He said that a lot of people do have brain abnormalities that never effect them. So it may be something they wish to check but has nothing to do with any brain injury, nor will effect him in the future.

[issynoho]

Thank you Witchend. Hopefully it will be nothing to worry about and then we can rib him about his abnormal brain 😀

[dangle90]

I work in MRI and it shouldn't take too long to be referred for a scan, normally 2/3 weeks ish! May sound a while but waiting lists can be quite high I know they are where I work anyway! Hope this helps

[issynoho]

he's got an appt for next week

[dangle90]

Good hope all goes well xx

[CharleyDavidson]

Hope it all goes well.

I had an MRI to try and pinpoint the cause of my trigeminal neuralgia pain. It found it. But also revealed several white patches on my brain.

They've not followed up because, according to my neurologist, it's quite normal to see white patches like that on someone of my age (40 ish), especially someone who used to suffer from migraine auras.

[issynoho]

Thanks Charley, that's reassuring.

[Backingvocals]

I've had this. Had an MRI scan for headaches and results came back showing "patches" - or actually I think one largeish patch. When the GP saw them she asked when it was that I had had my stroke....I've never had a stroke but that's what it looked like. I spent a week freaking out until I had my appointment with the specialist.

The specialist later confirmed that it could have been any one of lots of things and that if you scanned 100 people, 10 would have something show up, almost all of which would be nothing iyswim.

Hope that reassures you a bit too and I hope your DH gets the all clear very soon.

[issynoho]

Thanks Backing. He's naturally freaking out and imagining all sorts, but I'm quite calm because it's not like he had any symptoms that triggered this off. He had an RTA that caused concussion and the scan was ordered by a GP who wanted to make sure nothing was being hidden - e.g. A small bleed. Now the scan has shown this patch which from what you guys have said can be commonly nothing to worry about.

I bet your face was a picture when your GP asked when you had your stroke

And he's just opened a letter saying his scan is actually tomorrow. So we should know soon.

[CharleyDavidson]

When I mentioned my white patches to the GP, and my migraine auras they took me off the combined pill quick smart as 'we don't want you having a stroke, do we?' according to the doctor.

I've since read that they can show up on scans of people who have high BP (I don't) and on other people's who have no symptoms.

I think it's a case of having too much information sometimes that causes worry where really there's nothing (hopefully) to worry about.

[issynoho]

Well, DH had the scan last week and yesterday got a GP letter asking him to ring for 'a routine appt'. Routine is good, right? Otherwise they would have written emergency or urgent?

Anyway, he rang, there are no appts til Jan and the GP is ringing him back later today. Fingers crossed.

[gingeroots]

Has GP spoken to your DH yet ? Hope all is well .

[issynoho]

It's all fine! Tha GP rang him late yday and said he has absolutely nothing to worry about. She did say what the white patch could be but he as so relieved he immediately forgot. He's going to ask again

Hadn't realised how tense I had been until he got the good news. Thanks for all your info and kindness while we waited.

[Backingvocals]

Wonderful !

[gingeroots]

Fantastic .That's made my day .

Thanks for thinking to update .