What Do These Lab Reports Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 7 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 7 Jun 2017 Answered on

Fri, 7 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a heart CT with and without contrast. A ct-angiogram, as I understand.
The radiologist report came back clean - 0 plaque score, but something different to have checked in my lung.
Out of curiosity, I looked at the images for the study and was alarmed at a large 'bright' area that appeared to be right in the Superior Vena Cava (as best I've learned from google) and into my right atrium.
The Hu scale (per the various software readers I've used) indicated hardness of anywhere from 1100 to 2200. It's alarming on the face of it. I haven't been able to get anyone to explain it to me.
i.e. Yes, it is something to look at with a second opinion or No, it's just a bulk of contrast, and its always seen and appropriately dismissed by radiologists.

p.s. I tried to upload screen shots, but missed one - the Sagittal view. I don't know how to go back to add it. The red highlights are my thresholds which are very high - up in the bone values, I believe.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is due to the contrast entering superior vena cava

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

It is possible that you might have measured the HU value in the superior vena cava in the contrast sequence when the bolus of contrast was in the area. At the time of bolus entry you will see the superior vena cava and right atrium bright with density of bone. This can give high HU values and is a technical misinterpretation.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana