MRI results?

Question

Can some one tell me what this means: "ill-defined focus of T2 prolongation within the posterior right pons."

Thank you.

Answer 1

I think "T2" refers to a way of weighting MRI images. On a T2-weighted scan water- and fluid-containing tissues are bright and fat-containing tissues are dark.

I am not sure why you had your MRI scan, and possibly your doctor is the best person to explain these findings.

Answer 2

Yeah, basically as Terran said, a T2-weighted sequence was performed (high TR, high TE), and a high-signal focus was demonstrated in the specified location of the pons.  In a T2WI, high T2 signal is characteristic of edema or increased water content.  Without seeing the actual image or knowing what the radiologist provided as reasonable differentials, it's hard to say if this was a significant finding or not.  Either way, the neuroradiologist must comment on any signal abnormality.  Ill-defined simply means that it doesn't have a "regular" shape, i.e. round, linear, etc.  Sometimes terms like "amorphous" are used.  Your best bet is to have your physician contact the Interpreting Radiologist and find out what he thinks it may be.  It may very well simply be artifiact of no relevance.

Chances are that the sequence was performed prior to the infusion of gadolinium, but in any event, gadolinium produces such shortening of T2 that it's hardly apparent, it certainly wouldn't lead to T2 prolongation.

It's high-tech stuff which really is intended for your physician and the interpreting neuroradiologist to discuss amongst themselves before you start freaking out about something that is likely of no consequence.

Answer 3

Ill-defined: not well defined focus...can't see it good. T2 is your second thoracic vertebrae. Prolongation withing right post pons? Well the pons is in the brain, but I do not get the prolongation into that area from thoracic standpoint?

Doctors?

Answer 4

T2 is a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging term which refers to spin-spin relaxation times in molecules. It's one of the ways tissue differentiation is achieved in MRI.

Different tissues have different T1 and T2 times, resulting in the machine being able to tell one type tissue from another. This is how they're able to do a 3D "scan" of the brain/body. With being ill-defined, it may have been that the receiving unit within the machine itself malfunctioned or that something is wrong with the pons itself(structurally). I'm sorry if this scares you :(

Answer 5

I asked my mom because she is a nurse and she said ill defined means how to see but she thought T2 was something to do with your back. Sorry I couldn't help any more.