Abnormalities on MRI

[KatyaZamolodchikova]

I need a bit of a handhold please!

I had a brain and vestibular MRI around three weeks ago as I was experiencing strange disorienting episodes, that were pretty debilitating. Some lasted a couple of hours, some a few minutes. Some were a week apart, then none for 3-4 months. I've been to ENT and was diagnosed with low frequency hearing loss, but no treatment needed/offered. It kept happening and getting worse each time, so I was refered to the practice neurologist, who sent me for the MRI. He was quite relaxed about it and suggested it was likely to be migraine related as opposed to anything sinister.

So yesterday the GP practice text me to ask me to contact them for my results. I fully expected them to show nothing, the neurologist explained that it wasn't likely to show anything as migraine activity only shows when it's actually happening.

But when the GP called today she explained that there were anomalies in the scan. Nothing sinister, but anomalies. She couldn't tell me anything else, except either the neurologist would get in touch to make a follow up, or I'd be referred to the hospital to see a clinical neurologist.

I know that it's nothing sinister and if it were I'd have been contacted much sooner, but I'm freaking out a little bit with the not knowing. I just need to get it down here and out of my head, because there's absolutely nothing I can do except wait.
I think it's just a bit of a shock really as I was expecting it to be completely normal.

Handholding here

I'm having an MRI this week, similar symptoms, and ditto re the low frequency hearing loss. I think sometimes they see things on MRI scans that are slightly out of the norm, but not enough to be suggestive of a particular disease. So they might scan you again in a few months time to see if anythings changed.

Its a worry isn't it. I hope it turns out to be minor for you.

Here's a hand .

I understand why you're anxious, I think anyone would be when waiting to find out what they mean by anomalies. But if the words "nothing sinister" were used, you need to just remember that, believe it, and repeat it to yourself as often as you need to until you find out what exactly they saw. I hope you're completely reassured very soon.

A few years back I saw a neurologist, he told me that brain scans will often show anomalies which will/can never be explained and is just one of those things in life. It will be fine.

Thank you everyone! The neurologist called yesterday and I feel much better. I have a Chiari Malformation, but they don't think it's what is causing my symptoms so it's unlikely I'll need any treatment for it, although they have sent the scan for a second opinion to be on the safe side.

I'm being referred to a balance specialist in the ENT team as they think that it's probably menieres causing the problems.

Phew!
Thank you all for your reassurances, it was just a bit of a shock! Fingers crossed I'm on the road to a diagnosis now!

Hi, I have syringomyelia, a condition that is usually associated with a Chiari malformation, although mine isn't. It is a kind of cyst inside my spinal cord. Like you, mine was discovered as a bit of a suprise (shock!) when the GP and neurologist were expecting it to be migraine related.

The Ann Conroy Trust is a Chiari and Syringomyelia charity and they have lots of information, and also a list of neurosurgeons and neurologists who have a special interest in Chiari. There is a good chance that the Chiari malformation won't cause you any symptoms, but there are things that can be done if you do develop problems later. At least you know now anyway! The waiting is always the worst for me. If you have any questions I am happy to answer them x