MRI Report Question

[Luv2Camp]

I'm hoping there are some MRI experts that can help me with this question: I had an MRI done last week on my lower spine (the rheumatologist is looking for inflammation of the spinal cord). I picked up a copy of the MRI report to take to my other doctor's appointment, and my curiosity got the best of me, so I read it. Here's my question - There are two sections of the report. One is "findings", which has stuff listed, and the other is "impression", which makes everything sound a-ok on the MRI. Which section does the doctor go by? I'm really, really hoping it's the "impression" section!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think when they did my knee, they based it on the findings. I say that--b/c I thought the impressions might have made it sound okay, but then the doctor told me what was "found" and referred me and I had my meniscus shaved.

But since you are going for a different purpose that would have different meaning, I have no idea.

I had an MRI on my neck as well, and I have no idea what they went by--but it was negative both times, that is all I know.

 

[happily single]

I'm pretty sure your doctor bases his action on the findings. The "Impression" is just that, what the radiologist-who is an actual doctor-feels the problem is. Your doctor will go on what was found to be on the MRI

 

[christiane]

Findings are the specific physical changes the radiologist has noted. They are reported in a neutral way without commenting on the significance.

Impressions are an indication of what the findings mean to the patient. Impressions should factor in the patient's history & symptoms and indicate the significance of the findings.

For example, an MRI report of a spine may find chronic, degenerative changes that are common in people older than a certain age. These changes are a "finding". However, if your symptoms came on suddenly and progressively worsened, the "impression" would be that the degenerative changes were not responsible for your symptoms & were purely an incidental finding.

However if the findings were consistent with an acute "slipped disc", then the impression would be that if was the likely cause of your symptoms.

 

[disfan07]

I can tell you that for me, when I had my MRI of my brain, they went by the findings, not the impression. As a PP said, the impressions are based on the personal history, etc.

Mine was

Findings:
2.2cm cystic mass on the pineal gland with surrounding calcifications

Impression:
No noticable change in size of mass or calcifications

So the impression makes it sound better than than findings. The cyst had been at least 2cm for about 3 years but I had this MRI done because I was showing symptoms because of the cyst. So the findings comined with my medical history were much more important than just the findings alone. The size of the cyst (not getting smaller), plus my symptoms and past history was what lead me to having surgery. The findings alones would not necessarily have indicated surgery.

 

[Luv2Camp]

That makes total sense. Thank you, everyone, for explaining it to me!