I Recently Had CT Imaging Of The Abdomen And Pelvis

Posted on Sat, 29 Aug 2020

Question: I recently had CT Imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed
WITH intravenous contrast. Here are some of the results:
Atherosclerotic disease. Superior mesenteric and inferior
mesenteric arteries are contrast opacified. Celiac axis artery is
contrast opacified. Appendix is negative. Subcentimeter
retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes. Tiny hiatal hernia.
Nonspecific hypodensity within the RIGHT hepatic lobe, segment 6,
axial series 4, image 57. Pancreas, spleen, adrenals and kidneys
are without a solid identifiable lesion at this time. The spleen is enlarged at 15 cm. Very top of the tip of the liver is not
included on the field-of-view

This was performed by the VA and I cannot get anyone to explain this to me. Should I be worried? I have a history of diarrhea after each meal, since my service in Vietnam in 1970. Truth

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some arteries in gut are blocked(atherosclerosis).

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your detailed. reports.
No you should not be worried because the problem reflected is fully treatable.
In easy language the report result means that your arteries supplying part of intestines are clogged up(The same thing which happens in heart;When the artery supplying heart is clogged(atherosclerosis) up and patient gets heart attack but this could easily be cleared up by using a stent)The same procedure would be done in your case.
Stent would be used in clogged arteries to reopen blood supply.
I don't feel that you need to worry to much.Just consult your Gastroenterologist for the same who would plan up the operation.
Hope I was easy to understand.
Thank you!!!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (14 hours later)

Could this be causing ischemic colitis or Chronic Mesenteric ischemia?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Chronic mesenteric ischemia means that blood supply to mesentry is hindered due to atherosclerosis causing ischemia.
Ischemic colitis means inflammed colon due to decreased blood supply- Again the cause is atherosclerosis.
So you are taking about diseases and these diseases are caused due to lack of blood supply due to atherosclerosis.
Thank you!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T