MRI for bone mass as a random result of Xray

[flyacat]

I went to an orthopedist for what ended up being a Ganglion cyst (about the size of a rice grain) on a tendon on the outside of my right ankle. Before diagnosing it he sent me for an ankle Xray to help rule out anything else. The radiologist noted a (totally unrelated) mass on the inside portion of my tibia (about 3cm x 1cm in shape along the side of the bone). My doctor sent me for an "urgent" MRI of the mass and I have been waiting with bated breath for the past week for the results of the MRI.

I don't know where this is headed. But assuming the best case scenario (what is the best case? Maybe it's benign and we just monitor it?)- what is the significance on my next 3rd class renewal?

I am 100% freaked out by this- general health management question- is the orthopedist the best doctor to stick with in terms of help figuring out how to proceed after the MRI results come back? Or should I be falling back to my GP?

 

[PaulS]

I would be on the phone with both asking for answers, one week is long enough.

 

[azure]

Agree. In my experience, MRIs are usually read within a couple of days.

 

[AggieMike88]

Health first, fly later

Get your current threat to personal health dealt with before worrying about the FAA.

Once dealt with, gather up all various documentation and doctor reports and schedule a consultation with the AME. During the consult ask how to proceed in making the folks at OKC happy and keeping your flight medical.

 

[flyingron]

Usually you get the MRI to take with you (or is directly transmitted to the treating doctor). It might take a few days for the radiologist to give the official read, but often these days the referring doctor can take a stab at what they see.

 

[weilke]

-Follow up on the with your orthopedic surgeon for the result.
- Don't get the report directly from the imaging facility
- Talk to your orthopedic surgeon on what to do with this incidental finding.

Sometimes it takes an extra day or two to get a report on a bone mass case. This can be
- because the MSK specialist who knows most about them has a day off or is working at a different hospital/practice that day
- whoever reads it wants to be right and consults with someone who he knows to be an expert on this.

There is a very high chance of this being benign.

 

[flyacat]

Ok, contacted my doc and he got the report- it is good! The mass was a calcification of an old developmental fibrous cortical lesion (benign). It has no bony edema and no aggressive features. He said I don't need to to any follow up..

Should I just answer the questions on section 19 about this? Do I just list the orthopedist who referred me for the MRI, or do I go all the way back to the PA who referred me to the orthopedist? Should I plan on getting notes from any particular doctor in relation to this?

 

[dbahn]

Ok, contacted my doc and he got the report- it is good! The mass was a calcification of an old developmental fibrous cortical lesion (benign). It has no bony edema and no aggressive features. He said I don't need to to any follow up..

Should I just answer the questions on section 19 about this? Do I just list the orthopedist who referred me for the MRI, or do I go all the way back to the PA who referred me to the orthopedist? Should I plan on getting notes from any particular doctor in relation to this?

I would just list the visit for the ganglion and list "incidental benign fibrous cortical defect" noted. If the FAA wants additional information they won't hesitate to ask for it, but I'd be very surprised if they did that.