MRI scan results appt what does this mean?

[Scann]

Apologies posting for traffic.

If you have an MRI scan (head area) ordered by hospital consultant and they have the results and admin say on phone they can’t give out the results and need to make an appointment for you to come back and discuss the results with the consultant, does that mean they’ve found something?

If the result was negative would they just write to you or GP, or would they still call you back to outpatients to meet with the consultant just to get a negative result?

My MRI was fine but still had to go to consultant as still had the issue (wasn't head related) also told results would take upto 4 weeks but I was sat back with consultant 13 days after appointment.

Why did you have the MRI in the first place, did you have an injury or did they suspect someone? When is the follow up?

Nobody here can tell you as there will be a lot of variables.

I recently had an MRI for a suspected mini stroke, and they called me the next day to say it was clear. But some people would be referred for that news I think if you needed treatment for a non-life threatening reason, it probably varies a lot by situation and hospital.

No it doesn't. They generally won't give out results good or bad over the phone. Otherwise you'd be in the horrible position of knowing if it was ok they'd have told you, and so because they want you to come in it must be bad news.

It was an ENT issue. The scan was to check for any physical abnormalities. The admin said she couldn’t give me any results over phone but would look at the report to see what was happening next. She went quiet and then said she would send an appointment out to meet back with the consultant to discuss the results.

I did ask if it was normal to come back even if they haven’t found anything and she said yes yes but I felt like there was something not right. Worried now.

Hi, OP -

You can’t conclude anything! The nurse had already told you she couldn’t discuss results over the phone before she ‘went quiet’, presumably to read something. I think she was just being professional.

It is only natural to be nervous. That doesn’t mean anything. Best wishes

No it doesn't, it means the person on the phone isn't the right person to discuss results with you. The person you spoke to fulfils an admin capacity, receiving results, cataloging them, scheduling appointments etc. Even if that person has gained some knowledge over time, or can actually read what is on the results; they cannot interpret the results or answer your questions. Absolutely normal to schedule a session with consultant.

A follow up appointment is routine.

I recently had an MRI/X rays and barium meal thingy and was called back to discuss my results...was bricking it, but they were all clear.

(My persistent coughing/choking when eating or talking is all down to 'anxiety and stress' according to the (male) older consultant I saw, despite me saying I'm one of the least anxious and stressed people I know 😉. Do men get told they are anxious when they have physical symptoms I wonder?? Mini rant over)

I hope all is well, OP...

I used to work in scheduling for a radiology (MRI / CT) dept.

the reason we didn't give results over the phone:

1. I am not medically qualified. Reports are written in complex terms that I only had some understanding of, and what I did understand would still not qualify me to deliver medical news. This should be done by a doctor from your team who is familiar with both you and the reason for your scan.
2. MRI reports aren't numbers or a binary yes / no positive / negative. They are complex written reports, often paragraphs long, written by a radiologist who has spent years in training to qualify them to read your results. Often other medical specialities will not have enough knowledge to read the scans and make conclusions - it's not like looking at an X-ray. MRI scans are made up of hundreds if not thousands of images, cut together.

I hope it all goes well for you. Try and see it as the staff doing everything they're meant to rather than trying to hide information from you. I once had a patient ring me saying 'I haven't had my results, is it because it's bad news and they're afraid to tell me' and it took me a while to find a nice way to say 'of course not, don't be silly'!

Ok thanks all that’s a bit reassuring. I think she might have said she’ll get an appointment out “as soon as possible” but don’t know if I imagined that bit now. I’m a terrible catastrophiser. I feel like calling the hospital admin line back and begging them to tell me. (I won’t).
Anyway thank you.

Admin aren't able to give out results op as they can't them answer questions etc doesn't mean it's anything bad

I’ve always had to go back for the results, never had them over the phone, even local drs don’t give results over the phone

Thank you.

@Scann I hope I didn't sound too harsh. I honestly just want you to know that you shouldn't tie yourself in knots trying to decipher things that are actually normal, as difficult as it might be. I really do hope everything comes out fine for you.

Was it good news op? I'm in the same position after an MRI scan

Yes they gave me the all clear from the MRI thanks.
However I’m not clear what has caused the increase in pulsatile tinnitus.

I hope you also had good news.