I need some help here. I have been having very bad pressure headaches and numbness in my face. It feels like my head will explode. I also have pain in my thoracic area. I had multiple issues over the years.
But they did a MRI of my head w/wo contrast which was good.
However they did a MRA and noticed i had a 2 mm infundibulum in the lef posterior communicating artery. Then they did a follow up on a CTA with and without contrast. That was still there and then they noticed a .5 cm extra-axial calcification on my right temporal region. Appears stable favoring a benign etiology
my father died of a stroke years ago at the age of 57. I am concerned and i am seeing my one doctor for my spine who works in neurosurgery. They said they can take a look at the images.
But is there anything i can do or follow up with.
I need some help here. I have been having very bad pressure headaches and numbness in my face. It feels like my head will explode. I also have pain in my thoracic area. I had multiple issues over the years.
But they did a MRI of my head w/wo contrast which was good.
However they did a MRA and noticed i had a 2 mm infundibulum in the lef posterior communicating artery. Then they did a follow up on a CTA with and without contrast. That was still there and then they noticed a .5 cm extra-axial calcification on my right temporal region. Appears stable favoring a benign etiology
my father died of a stroke years ago at the age of 57. I am concerned and i am seeing my one doctor for my spine who works in neurosurgery. They said they can take a look at the images.
But is there anything i can do or follow up with.
Hi, @faithjc01 - I'm sorry to hear about all these symptoms you've experienced, especially feeling like your head will explode.
I'm tagging some other members on Mayo Clinic Connect who may have experiences similar to or simply have thoughts to share about your finding of 2 mm infundibulum in the left posterior communicating artery and the .5 cm extra-axial calcification on your right temporal region @kyleew6783@skol1962@aty1227@sissysmith@feelingthankful@cb222808@tkeys@hopeful33250. They may have some input on anything else you can do or follow up with.
When will you be seeing the neurosurgeon, faithjc01?
I need some help here. I have been having very bad pressure headaches and numbness in my face. It feels like my head will explode. I also have pain in my thoracic area. I had multiple issues over the years.
But they did a MRI of my head w/wo contrast which was good.
However they did a MRA and noticed i had a 2 mm infundibulum in the lef posterior communicating artery. Then they did a follow up on a CTA with and without contrast. That was still there and then they noticed a .5 cm extra-axial calcification on my right temporal region. Appears stable favoring a benign etiology
my father died of a stroke years ago at the age of 57. I am concerned and i am seeing my one doctor for my spine who works in neurosurgery. They said they can take a look at the images.
But is there anything i can do or follow up with.
@faithjc01 I understand your worries since you dad died from a stroke at age 57 and now you are having pressure headaches and numbness. That would frighten me too.
I thought it might help to clarify about the infundibulum.
The infundibulum is actually a structure of brain cells that connects anatomical structures in the lower part of the brain. The infundibulum is not a problem or a pathology in the brain. Without the brain pathology report I’m not sure what the pathologist is referring to but perhaps it is a very small (2mm) growth on the widening at the origin of the posterior communicating artery where it branches off to connect with other arteries. Do you know if this infundibulum that is described in your pathology report is in danger of a rupture and could lead to a bleed? That’s a question to ask your doctor.
Does the right temporal region refer to your temporal lobe on the right side of your brain?
I think these are questions to ask your neurosurgeon who will have the pathology report and can help interpret the report for you.
HISTORY: Cerebral aneurysm.
TECHNIQUE:
Helical axial CT images of the head were obtained during the bolus intravenous
injection of contrast.
* Multiple reformatted images and 3-D reconstructions were performed
including MIP, MPR, and surface-rendered images. This was required for optimal
detection and characterization of vessel pathology, including the grading of
stenosis.
* In regions of densely calcified plaque, an exact measurement of luminal
stenosis can be difficult.
* The distal internal carotid artery diameter was used as the denominator
for stenosis measurement.
* Automated dose control measures were utilized.
CONTRAST: 100 cc Omnipaque 350
COMPARISON: Comparison is made with the following studies:
1. CT angiogram of the head from 3/22/21.
2. MR angiogram of the brain from 1/29/25.
3. MRI study of the brain from 1/29/25.
FINDINGS:
No aneurysm is seen. No vascular dissection is identified. No hemodynamically
significant stenosis is demonstrated.
For the CT angiogram, the findings are summarized as follows:
Anterior cerebral arteries:
* Right anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Middle cerebral arteries:
* Right middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
* Left middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Posterior cerebral arteries:
* Right posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
Circle of Willis:
* At the origin of the left posterior communicating artery, there is a 2 mm
infundibulum (Series 2, Image 122). This finding represents a normal anatomic
variant. This location correlates with the MR angiogram from 1/29/25.
Basilar artery:
* No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* The basilar artery supplied by a dominant left vertebral artery.
Distal internal carotid arteries:
* Right distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* Left distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
Other:
* The ventricles and sulci are normal in size.
* In the brain parenchyma, no hemorrhage, mass effect, or abnormal
enhancement is seen. In the brainstem and cerebellum, no focal lesion is
identified. No extra-axial collection is demonstrated.
* In the right temporal region, there is a 0.5 cm extra-axial calcification
(Series 2, Image 132). This finding appears stable, favoring a benign etiology.
IMPRESSION:
1. On the CT angiogram of the brain, no aneurysm is seen.
2. No hemodynamically significant stenosis is identified.
Hi, @faithjc01 - I'm sorry to hear about all these symptoms you've experienced, especially feeling like your head will explode.
I'm tagging some other members on Mayo Clinic Connect who may have experiences similar to or simply have thoughts to share about your finding of 2 mm infundibulum in the left posterior communicating artery and the .5 cm extra-axial calcification on your right temporal region @kyleew6783@skol1962@aty1227@sissysmith@feelingthankful@cb222808@tkeys@hopeful33250. They may have some input on anything else you can do or follow up with.
When will you be seeing the neurosurgeon, faithjc01?
Well i hope so. I am seeing a neurosurgeon for my back. I have intense pain in my thoracic that stiffens my shoulders and goes into my head with pressure.
But this dr only specializes in back. He can look at the disc of the brain. i see him on 2/28.
The think of it is Lisa I cant find good care in NJ. I am fed up to be honest with you.
I have been to the Mayo and so many other good places with just no answers for my pain.
It can be so bad. i get afraid cause when my back started hurting me again the pain radiates to my chest.
I am seeing a cardiologist yet again. It never ends this pain.
Because infundibular widening most commonly appears at the origins of the posterior communicating artery and anterior choroidal artery from the internal carotid artery, its occurrence in association with the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) or the A1-A2 junction can be misinterpreted as an ACoA aneurysm on angiograms. The authors report on 2 such cases; one in a 73-year-old woman with infundibular widening of the recurrent artery of Heubner, and the other in a 44-year-old woman with infundibular widening of a perforating vessel from the ACoA. The correct diagnosis was established based on surgical exploration. In addition, grayscale modification of 3D reconstruction images of preoperative digital subtraction angiography revealed the cases of the recurrent artery of Heubner and perforating artery of the ACoA arising from the apex of the infundibular widening.
HISTORY: Cerebral aneurysm.
TECHNIQUE:
Helical axial CT images of the head were obtained during the bolus intravenous
injection of contrast.
* Multiple reformatted images and 3-D reconstructions were performed
including MIP, MPR, and surface-rendered images. This was required for optimal
detection and characterization of vessel pathology, including the grading of
stenosis.
* In regions of densely calcified plaque, an exact measurement of luminal
stenosis can be difficult.
* The distal internal carotid artery diameter was used as the denominator
for stenosis measurement.
* Automated dose control measures were utilized.
CONTRAST: 100 cc Omnipaque 350
COMPARISON: Comparison is made with the following studies:
1. CT angiogram of the head from 3/22/21.
2. MR angiogram of the brain from 1/29/25.
3. MRI study of the brain from 1/29/25.
FINDINGS:
No aneurysm is seen. No vascular dissection is identified. No hemodynamically
significant stenosis is demonstrated.
For the CT angiogram, the findings are summarized as follows:
Anterior cerebral arteries:
* Right anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Middle cerebral arteries:
* Right middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
* Left middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Posterior cerebral arteries:
* Right posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
Circle of Willis:
* At the origin of the left posterior communicating artery, there is a 2 mm
infundibulum (Series 2, Image 122). This finding represents a normal anatomic
variant. This location correlates with the MR angiogram from 1/29/25.
Basilar artery:
* No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* The basilar artery supplied by a dominant left vertebral artery.
Distal internal carotid arteries:
* Right distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* Left distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
Other:
* The ventricles and sulci are normal in size.
* In the brain parenchyma, no hemorrhage, mass effect, or abnormal
enhancement is seen. In the brainstem and cerebellum, no focal lesion is
identified. No extra-axial collection is demonstrated.
* In the right temporal region, there is a 0.5 cm extra-axial calcification
(Series 2, Image 132). This finding appears stable, favoring a benign etiology.
IMPRESSION:
1. On the CT angiogram of the brain, no aneurysm is seen.
2. No hemodynamically significant stenosis is identified.
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I need some help here. I have been having very bad pressure headaches and numbness in my face. It feels like my head will explode. I also have pain in my thoracic area. I had multiple issues over the years.
But they did a MRI of my head w/wo contrast which was good.
However they did a MRA and noticed i had a 2 mm infundibulum in the lef posterior communicating artery. Then they did a follow up on a CTA with and without contrast. That was still there and then they noticed a .5 cm extra-axial calcification on my right temporal region. Appears stable favoring a benign etiology
my father died of a stroke years ago at the age of 57. I am concerned and i am seeing my one doctor for my spine who works in neurosurgery. They said they can take a look at the images.
But is there anything i can do or follow up with.
Hi, @faithjc01 - I'm sorry to hear about all these symptoms you've experienced, especially feeling like your head will explode.
I'm tagging some other members on Mayo Clinic Connect who may have experiences similar to or simply have thoughts to share about your finding of 2 mm infundibulum in the left posterior communicating artery and the .5 cm extra-axial calcification on your right temporal region @kyleew6783 @skol1962 @aty1227 @sissysmith @feelingthankful @cb222808 @tkeys @hopeful33250. They may have some input on anything else you can do or follow up with.
When will you be seeing the neurosurgeon, faithjc01?
@faithjc01 I understand your worries since you dad died from a stroke at age 57 and now you are having pressure headaches and numbness. That would frighten me too.
I thought it might help to clarify about the infundibulum.
The infundibulum is actually a structure of brain cells that connects anatomical structures in the lower part of the brain. The infundibulum is not a problem or a pathology in the brain. Without the brain pathology report I’m not sure what the pathologist is referring to but perhaps it is a very small (2mm) growth on the widening at the origin of the posterior communicating artery where it branches off to connect with other arteries. Do you know if this infundibulum that is described in your pathology report is in danger of a rupture and could lead to a bleed? That’s a question to ask your doctor.
Does the right temporal region refer to your temporal lobe on the right side of your brain?
I think these are questions to ask your neurosurgeon who will have the pathology report and can help interpret the report for you.
HISTORY: Cerebral aneurysm.
TECHNIQUE:
Helical axial CT images of the head were obtained during the bolus intravenous
injection of contrast.
* Multiple reformatted images and 3-D reconstructions were performed
including MIP, MPR, and surface-rendered images. This was required for optimal
detection and characterization of vessel pathology, including the grading of
stenosis.
* In regions of densely calcified plaque, an exact measurement of luminal
stenosis can be difficult.
* The distal internal carotid artery diameter was used as the denominator
for stenosis measurement.
* Automated dose control measures were utilized.
CONTRAST: 100 cc Omnipaque 350
COMPARISON: Comparison is made with the following studies:
1. CT angiogram of the head from 3/22/21.
2. MR angiogram of the brain from 1/29/25.
3. MRI study of the brain from 1/29/25.
FINDINGS:
No aneurysm is seen. No vascular dissection is identified. No hemodynamically
significant stenosis is demonstrated.
For the CT angiogram, the findings are summarized as follows:
Anterior cerebral arteries:
* Right anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left anterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Middle cerebral arteries:
* Right middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
* Left middle cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is
seen.
Posterior cerebral arteries:
* Right posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
* Left posterior cerebral artery: No hemodynamically significant stenosis
is seen.
Circle of Willis:
* At the origin of the left posterior communicating artery, there is a 2 mm
infundibulum (Series 2, Image 122). This finding represents a normal anatomic
variant. This location correlates with the MR angiogram from 1/29/25.
Basilar artery:
* No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* The basilar artery supplied by a dominant left vertebral artery.
Distal internal carotid arteries:
* Right distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
* Left distal ICA: No hemodynamically significant stenosis is seen.
Other:
* The ventricles and sulci are normal in size.
* In the brain parenchyma, no hemorrhage, mass effect, or abnormal
enhancement is seen. In the brainstem and cerebellum, no focal lesion is
identified. No extra-axial collection is demonstrated.
* In the right temporal region, there is a 0.5 cm extra-axial calcification
(Series 2, Image 132). This finding appears stable, favoring a benign etiology.
IMPRESSION:
1. On the CT angiogram of the brain, no aneurysm is seen.
2. No hemodynamically significant stenosis is identified.
Well i hope so. I am seeing a neurosurgeon for my back. I have intense pain in my thoracic that stiffens my shoulders and goes into my head with pressure.
But this dr only specializes in back. He can look at the disc of the brain. i see him on 2/28.
The think of it is Lisa I cant find good care in NJ. I am fed up to be honest with you.
I have been to the Mayo and so many other good places with just no answers for my pain.
It can be so bad. i get afraid cause when my back started hurting me again the pain radiates to my chest.
I am seeing a cardiologist yet again. It never ends this pain.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionBecause infundibular widening most commonly appears at the origins of the posterior communicating artery and anterior choroidal artery from the internal carotid artery, its occurrence in association with the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) or the A1-A2 junction can be misinterpreted as an ACoA aneurysm on angiograms. The authors report on 2 such cases; one in a 73-year-old woman with infundibular widening of the recurrent artery of Heubner, and the other in a 44-year-old woman with infundibular widening of a perforating vessel from the ACoA. The correct diagnosis was established based on surgical exploration. In addition, grayscale modification of 3D reconstruction images of preoperative digital subtraction angiography revealed the cases of the recurrent artery of Heubner and perforating artery of the ACoA arising from the apex of the infundibular widening.
look like you had a great scan with positive good results
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Hug
1 Reaction