CT Scans and PortaCaths

[Sara22]

I have nearly completed 12 months herceptin and previous chemo for breast cancer.  I am due to have a bone scan and CT scan after the conclusion.  I have a port a cath which has been great, but it apparently can't be used to have the dyes for a CT and Bone scan.  WHY?
I have permanently damaged veins in my "good" arm due to chemo burn, so last time a canula (?) had to be put in in the day surgery dept. as no-one else would do it.  It was an awfully painful thing put in the side of my thumb and I have heard there is another port a cath now available which can have the dye inserted through this means.
I am in Australia and would like to know if there is a new port a cath available which will do blood tests, dyes etc.
They did use my Port in an emergency earlier this year when I had cellulitls and needed blood for testing urgently, but other than that, my bloods have been taken from a tiny vein in my hand, which is not suitable for CT scans etc I have been told.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Sara22]

Thanks so much for your suggestion.  I shall contact the vascular surgeon who put it in and see what he thinks.  I know they currently flush with saline before and after and after with heparin at every treatment of herceptin, as long as I remind them.
Perhaps too, it is the fact that the places I have to go to for these tests, don't like to touch ports.

Again, thanks for your time.

[PaulMD]

Hi.

In theory, if the port is still in good shape (no thrombosis, good flow), then this can still be accessed to inject contrast media used in CT scans and other tests.  After the injection of the dye, the port should be flushed adequately with saline and heparin combination.

In your situation, I believe that they are doubting the patency or integrity of your port that's why they don't want to use this for the procedure (which would really risk further clogging of the port).

I would suggest that you go to your surgeon and ask to re-evaluate the patency of your port.  If this is still OK, then you can ask your surgeon to write a letter to the CT scan department giving a go signal to use the port.

Regards.