In a previous blog, How heartburn caused a patient to lose her left leg, I discussed the problems that might occur if you have an advanced imaging test (CT or ultrasound) without first being examined by a physician. This principle also lends itself to plain x-rays, which also should be performed after a physical exam.…
Note: In this series, I will discuss the direct patient-to-radiologist consult experience from real patients seen at Lightbulb Radiology. The names (and some details of the clinical history) have been changed for purposes of anonymity. All of these cases are presented with the patient’s permission. For more information on how to obtain a consult, click…
Note: In this series, I will discuss the direct patient-to-radiologist consult experience from real patients seen at Lightbulb Radiology. The names (and some details of the clinical history) have been changed for purposes of anonymity. Case history: Jennifer is a 19 year-old female who presented to her primary care physician with excruciating lower back pain…
Note: This case is meant to illustrate the potential negative effects of inappropriate imaging. It is not intended as a diatribe towards any member of the health care team. Really the only “mistake” made here was the ordering of the CT scan in the first place. A 37 year-old woman presents to her local emergency…
I have to admit, I’ve been excited to see radiology slowly infiltrate into the mainstream of sports. Fifteen years ago, it was rare for the public to know when an athlete had an MRI. Now I hear people in the coffee shop saying: “Man did you see Derrick Rose go down last night?” “Yeah, we’ll…
You’ve done the hard part. You went in and had the MRI (or another imaging test) your physician ordered. You paid your co-pay, waited patiently for your name to be called, laid still during the exam, and it’s all over. So now what? How can you get the most out of your radiology results? (Hint:…
From seeing elegant pictures of our brain and spine, to definitely characterizing masses in the liver and guiding management of orthopedic issues, MRI has an established role in the delivery of optimal care. MRI is an amazing tool that allows us to see inside our bodies and helps us get answers about a wide variety…
Last time I talked about some of the reasons radiology reports can be hard to read. Now I am going to discuss some insider tips for reading and understanding your radiology report. The radiology report is most often organized into 6 sections: Type of exam, Clinical information, Comparison, Technique, Findings, Impression. Let’s take these one…
The simple truth is that radiology reports can be hard to read, especially for those without a medical background. The combination of advanced medical technology and the wonderful subtle intricacies of the human body often result in a final document that more closely resembles a William Faulkner novel (translation: difficult to understand!) than Dr. Seuss. …
Radiologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis of disease through interpreting imaging exams. Many patients would be surprised to know that after they get an imaging study, there is a physician behind the scenes who carefully reviews all of their images, and uses the provided clinical history to form a diagnosis. Radiologists interpret radiographs,…