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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
ct scan results for ascending aortic aneurysm
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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ct scan results for ascending aortic aneurysm
by dgar, Aug 02, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 34 year old otherwise healthy nonsmoking, nondrinking female without high blood pressure or any other symptoms. I have migraines with abnormal mri's that have led to further investigation to make sure I do not have any clotting problems. My nuero started with my heart and had an echo done. My echo showed a dilated right ventricle and dilated ascending aorta. It also revealed trace and mild regurgitation in the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. This led to a TEE being done to look for a possible PFO as a reason for clots being sent to my brain. The TEE revealed a small jet of diastolic flow in right ventricular outflow tract, could not rule out coronary fistula. But everything else looked normal. Cardiologist sent me for a CT Scan w/out contrast because he was not able to get a good look at ascending aorta. CT Scan says no definitive aortic aneursym but limited due to no contrast. Measures 3cm at greatest diameter.Small bulla at left lung base. Calcified hepatic granuloma. Nobody has told me what, if anything, all of this means. Can you help me out?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Aug 02, 2005 12:00AM
, Aug 02, 2005 12:00AM
dgar,
You have a lot of findings that are difficult to comment on without being able to see the actual pictures. The aortic dimensions you mentioned are in the normal range, so if the only place they commented on the aorta was the echo, then I wouldnt pay too much attention to it as the aorta isnt best visulized with that modality.
The right ventricular findings depend on the severity of the ventricular dysfunction. Without seeing the pictures, I cant tell you too much more. It sounds like your physicians were in the right path with the TEE, as in a young person a PFO or ASD is a common cause of the findings. An cardiac MRI might help your physicians locate a fistula if it wasnt seen by the TEE.
Im noit sure if you are recieveing care at a large referral center, but if there are questions and you are not that would be my next step.
good luck
You have a lot of findings that are difficult to comment on without being able to see the actual pictures. The aortic dimensions you mentioned are in the normal range, so if the only place they commented on the aorta was the echo, then I wouldnt pay too much attention to it as the aorta isnt best visulized with that modality.
The right ventricular findings depend on the severity of the ventricular dysfunction. Without seeing the pictures, I cant tell you too much more. It sounds like your physicians were in the right path with the TEE, as in a young person a PFO or ASD is a common cause of the findings. An cardiac MRI might help your physicians locate a fistula if it wasnt seen by the TEE.
Im noit sure if you are recieveing care at a large referral center, but if there are questions and you are not that would be my next step.
good luck
My CT scan of the chest also showed 4 small bullaes but these never showed up on an MRI of my heart.
CT scan of my hubby's abdomen picked up a 3cm aortic aneuysm (which they are watching) but thi never showed up on his Spiral CT scan of the chest.
Good Luck to you.
Wishing you all the best.