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What Does The Following Abdominal & Pelvic CT Scan Report Indicate?
Question: I had a CT-Scan of abdomen & Pelvis with contrast( 100mL Isovue-370)on Thursday, just checking to make sure I was okay after seat belt bruise to the abdomen from a car accident. The next day Friday January 20th, I started having kidney pain , a little diarrhea and was thirsty. I went back to the doctor who sent me for lab work which came back normal except my sodium was a little low. I continued to have kidney pain until after I went to bed. I woke feeling okay the next morning (saturday) but the kidney pain started again around 1 PM along with excessive thirst and some diarrhea. It continued for most of the night until after I went to bed again.I woke up again today feeling as if my kidneys were tired but not really hurting. I ate breakfast and took my vitamins and about 30-40 min later my kidneys started hurting again. I am concerned and not sure what to do. I think I was also somewhat dehydrated when the test was done on Thursday. I have never suffered Kidney problems before and I had bloodwork saying that my kidneys were fine before they did the CT scan with Contrast.
I have been drinking alot trying to stop the thirst with lemon water, coconut water, milk and just regular water.
my thirst is not as bad today either but I'm just not sure what to do or if I need to go back to the doctor.
I have been drinking alot trying to stop the thirst with lemon water, coconut water, milk and just regular water.
my thirst is not as bad today either but I'm just not sure what to do or if I need to go back to the doctor.
Brief Answer:
Dont panic . you will be ok
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
the main questions that come to mind after this history and possible explanation are-
1. Did the contrast given to me has caused kidney failure.-- well, contrast agents can cause kidney problems but only in less than 1 % of patients and more so in elderly diabetic and patients who already had kidney disease. so it is highly unlikely that you have kidney problem secondary to contrast. thirst and pain in kidney area are not a common finding of contrast associated kidney damage.
In any case to confirm you have to do a serum creatinine test and see any rise. generally the effect of contrast goes away by itself in 7 days time. even if the creatinine is rising it comes back to normal in 7 days.
2. why is pain in kidney area. -- pain can be from urine infections and from physical injury by seat belt more so in back muscles and spine causing radiating pain- this should get normal with rest proper body posture while sitting and paracitamol tablets if needed.
3. why do i have thirst-- are you very apprehensive - this can cause thirst and due to drinking excessive water sodium can become low. contrast agents can cause thirst and diarrhea for a day or two.
overall i think the problem should settle down- you can get serum creatinine and urine routine exam after discussion with your doctor. take rest and paracitamol ( kidney safe medicine for pain) if needed.
best wishes
Dont panic . you will be ok
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
the main questions that come to mind after this history and possible explanation are-
1. Did the contrast given to me has caused kidney failure.-- well, contrast agents can cause kidney problems but only in less than 1 % of patients and more so in elderly diabetic and patients who already had kidney disease. so it is highly unlikely that you have kidney problem secondary to contrast. thirst and pain in kidney area are not a common finding of contrast associated kidney damage.
In any case to confirm you have to do a serum creatinine test and see any rise. generally the effect of contrast goes away by itself in 7 days time. even if the creatinine is rising it comes back to normal in 7 days.
2. why is pain in kidney area. -- pain can be from urine infections and from physical injury by seat belt more so in back muscles and spine causing radiating pain- this should get normal with rest proper body posture while sitting and paracitamol tablets if needed.
3. why do i have thirst-- are you very apprehensive - this can cause thirst and due to drinking excessive water sodium can become low. contrast agents can cause thirst and diarrhea for a day or two.
overall i think the problem should settle down- you can get serum creatinine and urine routine exam after discussion with your doctor. take rest and paracitamol ( kidney safe medicine for pain) if needed.
best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Tomorrow will make a week that I had the CT-scan with Isovue contrast and still having kidney/back pain/pressure, Still having excessive thirst. No more diarrhea but last night urinated a lot during bedtime.
Had Creatine done the day after the test which showed normal and having another creatine tomorrow which will make exactly one week since the CT-scan with Isovue contrast was done.
I am pre-diabetic.
Had Creatine done the day after the test which showed normal and having another creatine tomorrow which will make exactly one week since the CT-scan with Isovue contrast was done.
I am pre-diabetic.
Brief Answer:
urinary symptoms may have different cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pre diabetic status does not increase the risk of contrast associated problems . it will be important to see what the creatinine value shows. please get a urine routine examination to see if you have urinary infection. discuss the problem with your doctor. he will examine you to see the exact site of back pain and understand if it is due to kidney or something else.
best wishes
urinary symptoms may have different cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pre diabetic status does not increase the risk of contrast associated problems . it will be important to see what the creatinine value shows. please get a urine routine examination to see if you have urinary infection. discuss the problem with your doctor. he will examine you to see the exact site of back pain and understand if it is due to kidney or something else.
best wishes
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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