Did you download your CT scan report from your portal and are anxiously waiting contact from your doctor to understand what it means? The complex terminology can be intimidating. How do you find what really matters? We show you how to hone in on the summary section and what those findings mean.
In this Episode:
- 03:22 – The Origin of Kellogg Corn Flakes
- 04:56 – Recipe of the Week: Peanut Butter Balls
- 05:20 – Journavx, the First New Oral Pain Medication in 20 Years
- 08:30 – How to Make Sense Out of a CT Scan Report
- 14:58 – Where to Look for the Important Findings – the Impression Section
- 25:37 – Earnest Hemmingway – Silent Support
- 27:02 – Outro
Demystifying the CT Scan Report
We continue our series, “Everything you always wanted to know about cancer, but didn’t have anyone to ask” with a conversation about how to make sense out of a CT scan report.
Dr. Matzo goes through an example CT (or CAT) for someone with metastatic prostate cancer (see below). She discusses the different sections and highlights the “Impression” section – the sum of all the important findings. Marianne talks about how radiologists document abnormal but not concerning biology; some are things just to keep an eye on. She also shared how often things unrelated to the reason for the scan are serendipitously found and treated, like her personal example of a kidney cancer.
Portals and CT Scan Reports
Portals where we can access our medical records or leave notes for our doctor are wonderful things. When we are having scans to monitor a cancer diagnosis, seeing the CT report in the portal and not understanding it can be very stressful. The best person to review your CT report is the health care practitioner who ordered it, but until you hear from them what do all of the part of the report mean? This podcast will help the CT scan report feel less threatening and more a tool for you to be involved in your own treatment.
Charlie helped highlight how useful it is to download and print a copy of your reports to share between locations and to facilitate your care.
Example CT Scan Report – Dr. Matzo Explained in the Podcast
Follow along as Marianne explains the sections. This is just an an example, and not an actual report for you.
CT CHEST W IV CONTRAST - Details Reference values are the expected results for patients. Values outside the reference value do not necessarily indicate disease. More information is available in the Laboratory Test Directory and from your physician.
If you have questions about this result, contact your provider.
Study Result
Narrative
History: Prostate cancer.
CT thorax, abdomen, and pelvis following administration of oral contrast and intravenous administration of 100 mL Isovue-370 contrast.
COMPARISON: CT abdomen and pelvis without and with IV contrast and oral contrast 10/27/2020.
FINDINGS: CT THORAX:
Heart is nonenlarged.
Coronary artery calcifications.
Negative for lymphadenopathy.
Patent and unremarkable appearance central tracheobronchial airway. Probable tracheal diverticulum at the level of carina. No complication.
No infiltrates.
3 mm noncalcified nodule superior posterior right middle lobe marginating minor fissure (image 24/243).
Ovoid intramedullary expansile lesion of the posterior lateral le sixth rib measuring 2.6 cm longitudinal by 0.6 cm transverse with marginating sclerosis. Focal sclerosis with marginating lucency involving the posterior subcortical glenoid of le scapula, measuring up to 11 mm. No suspicious osteoblastic or osteolytic lesions otherwise identified. Degenerative changes of the spine multiple levels.
CT ABDOMEN AND PELVIS:
Length 15 cm. Low-density liver. No focal liver lesions. Spleen upper normal measuring 12.5 cm length. Similar prior study. Pancreas, adrenal glands, and gallbladder unremarkable.
Symmetric bilateral renal enhancement. Probable 5 mm cyst lateral interpolar right kidney too small to characterize. Nonobstructing right renal central sinus complex calculi x2 largest 2 mm. Negative for obstructive uropathy the urinary tracts. Retroaortic le renal vein, variant.
Retroperitoneal, central mesenteric, and retrocrural lymphadenopathy again noted, largest lymph nodes measuring up to 1.4 cm short axis dimension with several lymph nodes within the central mesentery measuring smaller in the interval. Largest mesenteric lymph node measuring up to 1.0 cm transverse diameter, previously measuring up to 14 mm transverse diameter. No new or enlarging lymph nodes identified.
Negative for pneumoperitoneum, ascites, or diverticulitis. Appendix not visualized. No indirect findings of appendicitis. Nonobstructive bowel gas pattern.
Atherosclerotic changes aorta and iliac vasculature.
Ventral abdominal wall laxity at the level the umbilicus again seen without complication or bowel herniation.
CT scanning into the pelvis. Urinary bladder right lateral urinary bladder wall thickening measuring up to 11 mm transverse diameter. More conspicuous in the interval. Evidence of TURP defect.
No pelvic lymphadenopathy or fluid collections.
Interval development of a focal sclerotic lesions of the posterior inferior right ischium with superimpose regions of low attenuation. Interval development of intramedullary focal sclerotic lesion of the right supra acetabulum. Interval progression of degenerative changes le hip with subarticular degenerative cysts and joint space narrowing. Interval development of focal sclerosis medial le acetabulum. Interval development of sclerotic lesions of the L3 and L4 vertebral body segments with inferior concave endplate deformity of L3 vertebral body segment.
IMPRESSION:
1. Findings consistent with interval development of osseous metastatic disease. .
2. Nonobstructing right renal calculi.
3. Retroperitoneal, mesenteric and retrocrural lymphadenopathy. Similar findings noted prior study.
4. Progression of degenerative change left hip.
5. Fatty change liver. Borderline splenic enlargement.
6. Coronary artery calcifications.
7. Noncalcified right middle lobe nodule. Suspect Peri Fissural lymph node. Reassess on follow-up.
Related Episodes:
- S5E45: Why Does Cancer Exist? Empower Yourself With Understanding
- S5E46: “Why Do I Have Cancer?” Kismet, Chastisement or Coincidence?
- S5E47: MythBusters – Cancer Edition; Clarifying Common Cancer Myths & Misconceptions
References:
- The Battle of the Cornflakes | History Today
- Introducing JOURNAVX™ (suzetrigine) for Moderate-to-Severe Acute Pain
- FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain | FDA
- How to Read Your Radiology Report
Resources:
- Cancer Types | This Is Living With Cancer | Official Site
- Cancer Resources – Chemocare
- Cancer Information & Resources | Understand Cancer Together®
- Who We Are – Stupid Cancer
- Cancer Guide: 2023 PRCG Summer.indd
- How to discuss radiology report results with your doctor
- Short explanations of CT images of the different parts of the body: e-Anatomy, the Anatomy of Imaging
- How to Read Your Head CT Report: article-head-ct-report.pdf
Journavx: The First New Oral Pain Medication in 20 Years
We don’t know if you have heard, but there is a new pain drug in town. This is the first new oral pain medication to receive FDA-approval in 20 years. It contains not opioids and is non-addicting.
Journavx is FDA approved for acute, not chronic pain related to surgery, accident, or injury. It will likely be useful for peripheral neuropathy and back pain, but it is not yet been tested nor approved for this use.
Silent Support
This quote has been attributed to Earnest Hemmingway:
“In our darkest moments, we don’t need solutions or advice. What we yearn for is simply human connection—a quiet presence, a gentle touch. These small gestures are the anchors that hold us steady when life feels like too much.
Please don’t try to fix me. Don’t take on my pain or push away my shadows. Just sit beside me as I work through my own inner storms. Be the steady hand I can reach for as I find my way.
My pain is mine to carry, my battles mine to face. But your presence reminds me I’m not alone in this vast, sometimes frightening world. It’s a quiet reminder that I am worthy of love, even when I feel broken.
So, in those dark hours when I lose my way, will you just be here? Not as a rescuer, but as a companion. Hold my hand until the dawn arrives, helping me remember my strength.
Your silent support is the most precious gift you can give. It’s a love that helps me remember who I am, even when I forget.”
The History of Corn Flakes and Recipe of the Week
We shared the interesting history of Kellogg corn flakes, born in 1898 out of the attempt to appease the healthy “biologic living” doctrine without the bland taste. The recipe of the week is completely the opposite, with a sumptuous combination of corn flakes, peanut butter, vanilla, and sweetness. Get this Peanut Butter Chews recipe at Taste of Home.
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
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Mourning Jewelry
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