104. Chemo Imagine the Imaging

A week ago Monday, I had an ultrasound in the morning and an MRI in the afternoon.  Both were ordered by my oncologist.  As expected, the MRI showed a growth in my liver, same result as on the MRI that I had in spring. No surprise there.  What was surprising was that the recent ultrasound showed a result different from the ultrasound I had in May in Saskatoon.  In Saskatoon, no growth could be detected whereas in Regina last Monday it did show up on the ultrasound.  The same procedure, yet 2 different results.  What am I to make of this?  You could say that the tumor has grown since May.  That is possible, but it does not appear to be the case from reading the reports.  You could also say:  different operators having different interpretations.  In both locations an ultrasound technician was using the equipment and in Saskatoon in addition to the technologist, a radiologist handling the equipment was also involved.  Another possibility, and one that I find most intriguing, is that there could be a difference in results because of using different makes of ultrasound equipment.   "Recent studies have reported variations of up to 30% between different ultrasound machines for tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) a problem that can significantly impact clinical diagnosis, patient management and research studies."   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov  Taken from article called:  Comparison of 2 different ultrasound systems for the evaluation of tissue Doppler velocities in fetuses.  

Whatever the cause may be, this "situation" needs to be checked out by my oncologist because I insist to get rid of the growth in my liver.  I want it removed through ablation as was promised. The radiologist assured me it was possible to cauterize it once he could see it. I don't understand that if they can see it in Regina, that it can not be seen in Saskatoon?  Or does this tumor play hide and seek?  Stay tuned for the follow-up and outcome! 

Lesson learned here:  from now on I will be paying more attention to the type (brand) of equipment that is being used for my imaging and I suggest you do the same.   SanTeh!