Nicole’s Story

Site created on April 20, 2023

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Journal entry by Nicole Nusbaum

PET scan results are in and I used ChatGPT to translate the lab summary so it wouldn't be so hard to digest with all the medical terminology used.

This medical report describes findings from a noncontrast CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis related to the liver. Here's a breakdown of the findings:

  1. Liver Condition:

    • The liver shows numerous areas of low-density lesions that appear to merge together (confluent). This has caused some distortion in the shape of the liver.
    • These lesions exhibit different metabolic activities:
      • They're hypermetabolic (showing increased metabolic activity) at the edges and hypometabolic (showing decreased metabolic activity) towards their center.
    • Most lesions in the right lobe seem to merge more centrally. Some smaller lesions in both lobes exhibit increased metabolic activity without central tissue death (necrosis).
  2. Changes in Lesion Size:

    • Larger lesions in the left lobe are observed to have decreased in overall size, although they continue to show increased metabolic activity at their edges. The report details specific measurements for these lesions:
      • The larger lesions in the left lobe have reduced in diameter, measuring at 5.6 cm and 6.3 cm respectively, compared to previous measurements of 7.2 cm and 7.5 cm.
      • In the right lobe, there's a solitary lesion whose diameter has decreased from 4.5 cm to 4.1 cm upon reevaluation.
  3. Inferior Lesions:

    • The lesions in the central part of the right lobe are difficult to distinguish from each other and, consequently, challenging to measure accurately.
  4. Other Observations:

    • The report indicates the expected normal activity in the kidneys and bowel.
    • There are no observed enlarged lymph nodes in the retroperitoneal area (the area at the back of the abdominal cavity).

This report suggests multiple lesions in the liver showing varying metabolic activities and changes in size, with some reduction in the larger lesions. The nature of these lesions—whether they're benign or malignant—would typically require further investigation or additional imaging studies to determine their cause and nature. It's crucial to discuss these findings in detail with a healthcare professional or a specialist for proper evaluation and guidance regarding potential next steps or further diagnostic tests.

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