Aneurysm

Nemo2 said:
Yabbut, that's abdominal.....mine's in the 'arch' just below the heart where all the feeder tubes meet:
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Nemo2, if you don't mind me asking, I find it interesting they found your arch aneurysm from an MRI for sciatica.

My sciatica MRI stopped at the thoracic vertebra. What's cool I is I can see my abdominal aorta and kidneys, but that's it for vessels. Nothing higher.

Abdominal aneurysms can get so large that your doc feels it when they press on your stomach in the typical routine exam.
 
JoeWras said:
Nemo2, if you don't mind me asking, I find it interesting they found your arch aneurysm from an MRI for sciatica.

My sciatica MRI stopped at the thoracic vertebra. What's cool I is I can see my abdominal aorta and kidneys, but that's it for vessels. Nothing higher.

Abdominal aneurysms can get so large that your doc feels it when they press on your stomach in the typical routine exam.
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I'm presuming, (the techs were too busy for discussion, and I've never seen the hospital doctor that ordered the MRI again, nor did I see the original requisition), that they ran a full scan right up to the neck, or above, but I really don't know.

Our new doc, who I saw for the first time this week, had only received a copy of the MRI report that morning (he and his staff were on vacation), and, due to patient load, time constraints were in effect, so I had a fifteen minute consultation limit...not a lot of time to review multiple problems.

Now I'm waiting for the CT scan wherein contrast dye is pumped into the veins.
 
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I'm pretty sure mine was targeted only for the low spine. They gave me a digital copy of the results, and I don't see much above L1.

Then again this is USA and the insurance companies rule. They were pumping us through that MRI in record time. Then again, my wait was only 2 days! Canada protocols are probably different for MRI.
 
JoeWras said:
Canada protocols are probably different for MRI.
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In Ontario the medical system is simultaneously overloaded and underfunded.
 
Are you saying that Canadians, at least in Ontario, need to pay more for healthcare?

Like we do down here in the South? :)
 
NW-Bound said:
Are you saying that Canadians, at least in Ontario, need to pay more for healthcare?
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What I would say, (but won't, in order to avoid the appearance of Porky Pig, unless the political restrictions pertain to the US only), is......................
 
Before this thread ends, let me say that I have had no problem with access to specialists and equipment once the GPs realized that I need help. MRIs, CT Scans, Ultrasound scanning. Of course, I thought it was better before when they were not concerned so much....

(This is BC not Baja. In PV it is even better.)
 
Oh gee, I'm sorry to bring up even a whiff of bacon. In no ways was I making a political statement.

All I meant was for MRIs and back pain, the protocol of the type of MRI/CAT etc. differs by <the entity>.

<the entity> may be a national program, or it may be a specific insurance provider. It can even be a protocol followed by a specific specialist.

nemo's MRI protocol was different than mine, that's all. No politics meant! And I think my insurance company errs on fast, but focused protocols over slow, but comprehensive ones. There are pluses and minuses to either.
 
No need for political statements, if we recognise that people are motivated by financial gains, healthcare workers included.

When they can make money, they move very fast, whether it's a surgeon, or a smartphone engineer, or a roofer. :)
 
Just had a call from the doctor's office.....the Cat Scan results are in......and I DON'T have an aneurysm! (I forget what he called it, I was so stunned by the news, but will be into their office to pick up a copy of the data, probably today).......whatever it is I DO have, it's apparently benign and doesn't require monitoring.......whoopee!!!!) :dance::dance:

On the other hand.....WTF? How could the MRI be so wrong?
 
Nemo2 said:
Just had a call from the doctor's office.....the Cat Scan results are in......and I DON'T have an aneurysm! (I forget what he called it, I was so stunned by the news, but will be into their office to pick up a copy of the data, probably today).......whatever it is I DO have, it's apparently benign and doesn't require monitoring.......whoopee!!!!) :dance::dance:

On the other hand.....WTF? How could the MRI be so wrong?
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Wow, that's amazing and wonderful! :dance: :dance: :clap: How many times in life does one get a reprieve like that? Not often, I'd think. Sounds like great cause for celebration. :D
 
"You've got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

When I find out what it actually IS I'll post the results.....thanks everyone for the support.....although this entire episode has probably aged me ten years. :LOL:
 
Nemo2 said:
"You've got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

When I find out what it actually IS I'll post the results.....thanks everyone for the support.....although this entire episode has probably aged me ten years. :LOL:
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I can imagine! Had it been me, I think twenty years. :LOL:

It was hair raising enough that I even told Frank about it over lunch one day (since he doesn't read the forum as often as I do). We were both aghast at the size of the aneurysm. I think he'll be as happy as I am to hear about about the misdiagnosis. :D

This should make the trip you were planning a lot more fun, all in all. Might want to extend it. :)
 
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Wow!
Even in med school, someone has to be the anchorman in every class, and apparently that was the guy who originally read your MRI.

Wonderful news, and congratulations on dodging the bullet!
 
Sooo happy to hear this! Nothing like good news after a health scare to put everything else in perspective.
 
Bestwifeever said:
Nothing like good news after a health scare to put everything else in perspective.
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Right at this moment I'm in shock......it's like being in front of a firing squad and having someone remove the blindfold while saying "OK, you can go home now"........the immediate emotional reaction is "What? You mean I got all dressed up for this and now you're calling it off?"

Contradictory feelings..quite weird actually.

We'll pick up a copy of the scan this afternoon, and I'll have more details.
 
So happy for you Nemo2! This sounds like a reason to celebrate.
 
Not having an aneurysm is a very good thing. Next question: what is it?
 
Sunset said:
Hey, just to throw out the opposite view, how do you know the second test is correct and not the first one. ?

Right now you have 2 tests: Yes and No
Looks like a tie breaker is needed.
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Or perhaps a separate independent reading of either previously images or both could confirm. Radiologists do make mistakes.
Nwsteve
 
Great news! The first guy must have been a moron.
 
Great news. Maybe I should switch to your doc so mine will disappear as well!
 
Meadbh said:
Not having an aneurysm is a very good thing. Next question: what is it?
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I have typed the following from the report...(omitting 'unrelated' data).....it would appear I'm not in any immediate danger but would appreciate any insights you might have:

Routine thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm protocol was performed. IV contrast was administered.

The ascending aorta is ectatic but non aneurysmal, with measurements as follows:

4.4 x 3.9 centimeters at the sinuses.
4.2 x 3.9 centimeters at the mid ascending aorta
3.4 x 3.3 centimeters at the proximal aortic arch.
3.1 x 2.8 centimeters in the mid aortic arch.
3.0 x 2.9 centimeters in the distal aortic arch.
3.9 x 3.5 centimeters in the proximal descending aorta.
3.0 x 2.8 centimeters in the mid descending aorta.
2.5 x 2.6 centimeters at the diaphram.
2.6 x 2.5 centimeters at the celiac axis.

The common iliac arteries are also ectatic but not aneurysmal. The right measure 1.7 centimeters, and the left measures 1.5 centimeters.

The central airways are patent. No worrisome pulmonary nodules.

The heart is normal in size.

.......//.......

Impression: Fusiform ectasia of the thoracic aorta and common iliac arteries as described above. No aneurysm.
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Teacher Terry said:
Great news! The first guy must have been a moron.
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From what I'm seeing it would appear that the Cat Scan was far more comprehensive than the MRI, but I imagine there are a number of factors, (I might have shifted position, for example), that could explain the differences.
 
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