Brain lesions

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When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic staff

If a brain lesion discovered during a brain-imaging test doesn't appear to be from a benign or resolved condition, your doctor will likely seek more information from additional testing or consulting a specialist.

Your doctor may recommend that you see a neurologist for a specialized examination and, possibly, further tests. Even if a neurological work-up doesn't result in a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend follow-up imaging tests at regular intervals to monitor the lesion.

References
  1. Vernooij MW, et al. Incidental findings on brain MRI in the general population. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357:1821.
  2. Wong ET, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of brain tumors. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2009.
  3. Oliveira-Filho J, et al. Neuroimaging of acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2009.
  4. Aminoff MJ. Nervous system disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. 48th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=12507. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.
  5. Gunny RS, et al. Paediatric neuroradiology. In: Adam A, et al. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/160396333-3/0/1611/74.html?tocnode=54448112&fromURL=74.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-10163-2..50073-7_4075. Accessed Sept. 16, 2009.

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Nov. 3, 2009

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