8/30: The Call

The tumor seems to be 6% smaller as measured by the Parkside MRI radiologist (i.e. not the Houston folks -- that's still in the works), Dr. Barry M. Rabin, in the following report (emphasis is my own):

CLINICAL HISTORY: Brainstom glioma. Comparison 07/15/06.

TECHNIQUE: Multiple sagittal, axial and coronal sequences were performed through the brain both pre and post intravenous gadolinium administration. The exam was performed with anesthesia provided by Dr. Gonzalez.

FINDINGS: There is diffuse abnormal signal and marked swelling of the pons consistent with pontine glioma. The pons appears slightly decreased in size compared to prior exam currently measuring 3.6 (width) x 2.5 (AP) x 3.1 (height) cm. On prior exam, the mass measured 3.7 x 2.7 x 3.3 cm. The fourth ventricle also appears to be less compressed. This is best demonstrated on axial T-2 weighted sequence image number 8 compared to prior exam axial T-2 weighted sequence image number 7. There is a different enhancement pattern of the tumor now with a ring enhancing portion within the left side of the tumor. The ring enhancing portion measures approximately 9.0 mm in greatest diameter. The vast majority of the tumor does not enhance with contrast.

There is a diffuse supratentorial brain volume loss that has progressed compared to prior exam. There is no hydrocephalus. There is no pathologic extra-axial fluid collection. There is no herniation.

IMPRESSION: There appears to be slight decrease in size of the pontine glioma compared to 07/15/06 with slightly less compression of the fourth ventricle and minimally decreased size measurements. There is a slightly different contrast enhancement pattern of the tumor compared to prior exam of uncertain significance.