What can a CAT scan show?

[Karel]

Trying not to panic....

Two weeks ago, my daughter (9) fell ice skating, hit her head and we ended up taking her to the ER, where they did a CAT scan and said she had a mild concussion. The doc said the CAT scan was clear.

Now I get a phone message from one of the doctors at our Ped practice that she 'saw something she wants to discuss'. She told me to try her tomorrow at noon.

So what could it be about? Something in her brain? That she indeed do damage?

Yikes!

 

[bumcat]

Wanted to bump this for you.
My daughter has had lots of cat scans but I'm afraid I don't know much about them. I believe a MRI shows more than cat scans. Maybe someone else can help?

 

[RitaZ.]

I really don't know, but I did a search and this is what I found;

http://www.macalester.edu/~psych/whathap/UBNRP/Imaging/cat.html

 

[Towncrier]

CAT scans and MRI's are fundamentally equivalent. The major advantage that MRI has over a CAT scan is that is doesn't have to use X-rays to in order to perform the scan.

Both of these imaging methodologies show structure within the body. Bones, tissue, and everything in between shows up on the resulting scans. PET and Nuclear Medicine on the other hand show metabolic functions. They are much better at finding evidence of functional damage such as would occur in a stroke victim.

The CAT scan would not be the best method to determine whether or not someone has suffered brain damage. If the radiologist (who is specially trained to look at CAT scans) didn't see anything in the films, I wouldn't get too concerned. Most physicians do not have the training required to pick out something that a trained radiologist would see. I'll keep you and your daughter in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[nativetxn]

I hate it when doctors do that, call and say they need to see you and then won't tell you why. It's just so scary.

I can't answer your medical question, sorry. I hope everything is alright with your daughter. {{{HUGS}}} sweetie.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Not sure what else you can find... You may know by now..... Please update us soon!

 

[Karel]

After two days of leaving messages, on both ends, I finally spoke to the Doctor.


My daughter has - drum roll please- a sinus infection! Now why the heck couldn't the doctor just leave that message on the a. machine? I'm steaming... after a night of worrying! I'm just grateful that it's minor at least. Of course, its suppose to snow tomorrow and then it's the weekend, so I won't be able to get her in there till next week.

Thanks for your help and best wishes.

 

[Kirk]

Karel,

I really hope you chewed well!!!!


Glad she OK though!!!

 

[BethR]

Thank GOD! So glad that it was next to nothing.

 

[Towncrier]

I am so glad that it wasn't something more serious. We've been on the receiving end of those sorts of phone calls from the doctor's office. Very unnerving.