To think the radiologist shouldn’t have said anything?

[ThemysteriousH]

So have a wide variety of symptoms, different conditions but new ones that need investigating.

Had an abdominal/internal ultrasound to check for cysts. Chatted generally throughout and how long waiting times are for gynae (I’m under them for endometriosis and not had an appointment for a few years, I understand Covid’s impact etc).

As I was getting ready to leave asked when would I get results and she said,
“You’re GP will get them within days, you’ve no ovarian cysts, your scans abnormal, but at least you’ll get that gynae appt quicker now!”

Not coming here looking for a diagnosis but AIBU in thinking she should’ve just said “you’re Gp will do receive the results in such and such time” rather than above?

Now I’m unnecessarily worrying about it. Doesn’t help my CA-125 blood test was abnormal. (Work in ED which doesn’t see gynae/peads etc and not asking a colleague).

I had a gynae exam last year using ultrasound. Was very appreciative to imager for telling me exactly what he saw & what he would put in his report. I would have felt same whether it was good or bad news, they were giving me as much information as they could perceive and it was MY information so appropriate to give it to me. It sounds like they should have given more info what was the "abnormal" flag they saw in the scan, I suppose.

Agree with others that the word abnormal doesn't mean anything bad in itself.

To answer a few things - endometriosis typically doesn’t show on a scan, I had to have a Laparoscopic procedure to diagnose it.

Could well have been a sonographer, that’s my mistake - they all wear the same black uniform but she did seem to know what she was talking about.

Had a phone call yesterday from the hospital I’m being squeezed onto the end of a clinic the first week of June but have a GP appointment sooner. (We all know how hard those are to get atm!)

I know I should’ve been grateful for some information I think last night I was just overthinking the whole scenario.

Mentioned my job/tests because if I asked a colleague advice on what it could be/my abnormal ovarian ca-125 result, they wouldn’t know much either, like myself, as all things gynaecology emergency’s automatically go to another hospital so they’ve no reason to be clued up on things.

I hope that’s cleared some things up, I do appreciate all your responses and can see that I probably IABU a bit.

Yes, this isn't on. Preferably she shouldnt' comment but if she did she should explain what she meant properly.

Try not worry OP, I had a sonographer tell me I had polycystic ovaries when I didn't at all. Odd.

That’s a worrying long wait till June. I hope the gp can be more reassuring.

If they give you information they've done the wrong thing.

If they dont tell you anything- again people complain that they have done the wrong thing.

They cant win.

I think it should be left to the patient to state whether they want to be told anything about the scan and if you didnt say anything then the radiologist should complain about you.

Maybe I'm being overly harsh.

But most people want some information,.and they complain about not being told anything.

This radiologist did you a favour and gave you a quick explanation, so you're not waiting 2- 4 months for your results without any information at all.

They really cant win.

I don't think there was anything wrong in what they said, ultimately if you've got persistent symptoms in a weird way you want the scan to be abnormal so they can identify the problem and hopefully treat it. They might have thought you'd be relieved at hearing the results had found a problem/hopefully identified the cause, as opposed to 'sorry the scan was completely normal so likely you'll be discharged to get on with it'. I suppose everyone's different though so nothing wrong with you not appreciating that candour.

@Wishiwasatailor aren’t there radiographers/sonographers who have done extra training to be able to report on X-rays and ultrasounds

It’s country specific. Some it does exist as a role and others, with a strong medical association, it tends to be blocked as a role (medical association protectionism of members jobs and salaries). Irrespective, where it exists as a role, I thought they could only write the report and provide to the referring service, could not offer associated medical counsel to patients, that is the role of the receiving clinician. May have changed since I last worked where this existed. Maybe someone who currently works in this role or a radiologist in a country where clinical radiologists currently exist could comment on where that aspect currently sits with what is formally permissible (as opposed to what people just choose to do irrespective of the rules which is rife).

Given that I am a sonographer I think I am qualified to say what they do! Both sonographer and radiologists report. And most radiologists don’t do transvaginal scans!!

Personally I'd rather be told.

I had an abdominal ultrasound, it was very obvious from the radiologists expressions that she thought it was really bad news. But she wouldnt tell me anything at all. It would've been better if shed either just told me or had a better poker face!

As it turned out, what looked like lots of small secondary tumours on the ultrasound was clearly something completely different after the follow up ct scan.

I think that's a reasonable response, particularly if you've asked 'does everything seem OK?' or 'so what happens next?'
The alternative would be to lie

Hows things?
I have abnormal ca125

Had an urgent colonoscopy 4 other reasons & bowel polyps removed

Had a transvaginal scan and ovarian cancer ruled out

Had gastroscopy ' stomach fine..

Had an appt with gynae - not gynacological

Now ct abdomen scan :(

I had a scan/internal scan last year after a cancer scare , put on the 2 week cancer route. Although radiologists were lovely and clearly explained what they were doing and looking for, they did not give me any info about my scan. I was actually seeing the consultant the following day and he gave me my results .
I would have been worried about what 'abnormal' means x
Hope you don't worry too much and you get some positive news from the GP x x

YANBU in that she should have either elaborated on the 'abnormal' part or left it at no cysts present. Or said nothing at all.
We default to thinking the worst but abnormal could mean just that -abnormal but not cancerous.

This thread was posted in April (why do people do this?!) so I'm sure OP has all the answers by now.

Who gives a shit?! Hardly a zombie thread. And maybe OP can update us.

What do persons waste their time policing other PPs posts?! Pathetic.

@DamnUserName21

Of course it's a zombie thread! It was April - 6 months or so ago.

And it's not 'pathetic', it's incredibly irritating having Active taken up with so many old threads that people post on (thanks to MN's silly feature of linked threads) without at least looking at the date of posting.

HTH

I used the search function and the thread was found
I posted as i am in a scenario thats related/ relevant...

People get comfort in talking to those.who have had similar procedures

@worldwidetravel2017

And sometimes people do post on all threads for an update, I know

However, the recent posts were actually answering the OP - which is totally irrelevant 6 months later!

Was my post that bumped it up - asking how they are - & about my.upcoming ct scan

You'd be better off, and get more replies, if you start your own thread.

Best of luck with your or

...procedure

Zombie thread or not.
The misinformation on this thread is appalling.

Sonographers can and do report their own images and I would much rather have a Sonographer do my ultrasound than a radiologist who are generally less experienced in it but are still good. Don't get me wrong.
Radiographers also report after advanced training
Both in plain film and CT.