Questions For Radiology #3
Summary
Questions For Radiology #3 is the last of the series of my questions about my scans. In July 2021, I had a CT Neck and Bone scan done at an NHS hospital in Scotland. I did not get a follow up consultation with the Consultant who ordered the scans, so I was not therefore able to ask him any questions. Since that time, I have been trying to get answers about my radiology images. These images seem to hold valuable data about my condition, that could help me to get a diagnosis and treatment.
I am seeking answers about the facial asymmetry, that is visible in the CT Neck radiology images. There is a stark difference between the left side of my face, where I am in pain, and the right side. In addition to my facial asymmetry, I have questions about all of the white areas that appear on the affected side of my face.
I have asked four consultants about the asymmetry in these CT Neck and Bone images. Three of them have told me that the asymmetry is because my ‘head was tilted in the scanner.’ The consultants who have told me this are based in England. These CT scans were done in Scotland, so they did not actually see me go into the scanner. My head was not tilted or lopsided when I entered the scan machine. My head was central in the headrest. This is how I entered the CT scanner.
I therefore resent Consultants attributing my facial asymmetry in the CT images to my head being lopsided in the scanner. It is not true. I was central. A radiologist will not allow a patient to enter a scan machine unless their body is centralised.
Questions For Radiology
I am trying to find out what all of the white is on the affected left side of my face. It is covering my cheek bones on the affected side. Is it calcified tissue?
What could be causing this asymmetry between the two sides of my face?
The last Oral Maxillofacial surgeon who I saw, told me that where the red arrow points to in the images below is my brain. Is where the red arrow points, below, my masseter muscle or my brain? What could be causing my left-sided masseter enlargement?
CT Bone Scans
The last Ophthalmologist that I saw told me that he thought that this potential infection had only affected the soft tissue of my face and not the bone. The CT images of my bone, however, do show a difference between the left and right side of my face. In Radiology Questions #2, I asked about the thinning of the nasalis tissue. The CT bone images show a difference on the left side in this same area. Is there any damage to my bone in the sinus area?
Below are the two images showing a thinning of the nasalis tissue.
The CT bone images below definitely show a difference in this same area on the left side.
My Plea To Doctors
I have been suffering for ten years (over a decade) with this debilitating pain. Every single day of every single week, that I live, is consumed with dealing with pain. These scans definitely contain clues about what is going on in the left side of my face. I feel that I have been overlooked by the medical profession and not taken seriously. Living life again is what I desperately want, but I feel despairing that I will never find anyone who will listen and help me. I will work with any medical professional for however long it takes to find a solution. I just want answers and a remedy. If there is a radiologist, physician, Head and Neck surgeon, Infectious Diseases Specialist, Oral Maxillofacial Consultant or Otolaryngologist, anywhere in the world, who can help, please get in touch either by email; info@myfacialpain.com, X, or via the contact box. Thank you.
