Information about Brain Tumors
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. We cannot assume responsibility for its accuracy. Please, obtain information about your condition from your Doctor. The Brad Kaminsky Foundation does not endorse any service, treatment, institution or physician
Diagnostic tools
To find the cause of a person's symptoms, the doctor asks about the
patient's personal and family medical history and performs a complete
physical examination. In addition to checking general signs of health,
the doctor does a neurologic exam. This includes checks for alertness,
muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, and response to pain. The
doctor also examines the eyes to look for swelling caused by a tumor
pressing on the nerve that connects the eye and the brain. Depending
on the results of the physical and neurologic examinations, the doctor
may request one or both of the following: A CT (or CAT) scan is a
series of detailed pictures of the brain. The pictures are created by a
computer linked to an x-ray machine. In some cases, a special dye is
injected into a vein before the scan. The dye helps to show differences
in the tissues of the brain. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) gives
pictures of the brain, using a powerful magnet linked to a computer.
MRI is especially useful in diagnosing brain tumors because it can
"see" through the bones of the skull to the tissue underneath. A
special dye may be used to enhance the likelihood of detecting a brain
tumor.
The doctor may also request other tests such as: A skull x-ray
can show changes in the bones of the skull caused by a tumor. It can
also show calcium deposits, which are present in some types of brain
tumors. A brain scan reveals areas of abnormal growth in the brain and
records them on special film. A small amount of a radioactive material
is injected into a vein. This dye is absorbed by the tumor, and the
growth shows up on the film. (The radiation leaves the body within 6
hours and is not dangerous.) An angiogram, or arteriogram, is a series
of x-rays taken after a special dye is injected into an artery (usually in
the area where the abdomen joins the top of the leg). The dye, which
flows through the blood vessels of the brain, can be seen on the
x-rays. These x-rays can show the tumor and blood vessels that lead to
it. A myelogram is an x-ray of the spine. A special dye is injected into
the cerebrospinal fluid in the spine, and the patient is tilted to allow the
dye to mix with the fluid. This test may be done when the doctor
suspects a tumor in the spinal cord.
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