Comment by radiographer worrying me

[Mistymountain]

I had an MRI scan yesterday to monitor for the recurrence of a grade 2 meningioma. I had the operation in 2018, fully removed but scar tissue remaining.

This is the first annual scan, the previous ones were at 6 monthly intervals. Everything has been stable so far.

The scan went as usual, but when the radiographer came to take me out of the machine and remove the cannula from my arm she stopped and said "oh are you going for a CT scan now". I was surprised and just said "no I wasn't" and she then removed everything and asked how I normally received my results. After that I was taken back to the main building and went home.

Now I'm wondering why she asked about a CT scan, the only reason I'd need one would be if there were a tumour there, isn't it? Or do people think she just confused me with a different patient.

The wait for results is going to feel very long this time.

I think it sounds like she was confused and that other patients had gone on for CT scans.

Sounds like she was double-checking you weren’t going for a CT before she removed your cannula? Try not to worry 💐

I agree with PP, it sounds like she just got confused and thought you were another patient who was going for a CT scan.

She sounds as if she was just checking you hadn’t got one booked before she took the cannula out so they wouldn’t have to recannulate. A CT scan would’ve already been booked-there’s no way something could be spotted on MRI and then a CT scan arranged for when it’s finished-there is prep to be done beforehand. The MRI scan wouldn’t have been reported at the same time you were having it.

Thank you. Rationally I think she probably just got me confused with another patient. It's just sown a seed of doubt - she would be able to see the live pictures on the screen when doing the scan and if there's something there she wouldn't necessarily know it's a new finding - she might have thought I was in for monitoring and potential surgery.

No need to worry.

You would have needed your cannula for a CT scan which is why she asked before removing it.

It's really common for patients to have more than one test/scan/xray on one visit.

I also would think it was she.was removing your cannula on auto and then suddenly thinking that you may need it still in for CT like some patients.

Its so hard this though isnt it, every muscle twitch from a health professional has you in a heap thinking the worst.

Yes probably on auto, it's helped writing it down. Thanks