Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/23/2008

Question
What does this all mean in lay terms?

left parafalcine region is 1.5 cm AP dimension; .5 cm transverse; 1.4 cm craniocaudal dimension; has predominately increased T1 signal; abnormal T2 signal

intracranial flow voids are visualized

meningioma with calcification

and just to add stats...this is on a 37 yr old black female who has had headaches that even vicodin won't stop


Answer
I would much appreciate to read the FULL report so that any mistakes can be avoided! But from what you have given me I can conclude that she has a tumor close to her brain. It is probably (but without the full report I can not be sure) located close to her skull and close to the midline (from front to back) of the brain on the left side (so it is probably just above her brain). The tumor is a meningioma - a probably benign (non cancerous) - tumor arising from the linings around the brain. It is in size 1.5 cm from front to back (1 inch is 2.54 cm), half a cm from side to side and 1.4 cm from top to bottom. The T1 & T2 signals are technicalities we do not need to concern us with. The meningioma also contains calcified deposits. This is most probably a benign tumor and not big so a complete cure should be possible either with surgery or even without surgery with radiological means (GammaKnife or CyberKnife or proton beams depending on what is available), the tumor is small enough for that! Good luck!