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What Does This CT Scan Result Indicate?
Question: I am a 32 year old non smoker who recently had an abdominal CT scan for upper right quadrant pain and mild right back pain. CT with contract showed a - full appreciated pancreas head but no visual mass, report stated likely a normal variant. The pain was thought to be muscular and is off and on. My question is about the pancreas: Is it common to have a full pancreas head that is okay? or do I need more testing to investigate why it is full if I am not having any other symptoms? Now I am just parinoid about the Ct notes.
Brief Answer:
Consult a gastroenterologist and get CA 19-9 blood test done if required
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The plain CT scan was done earlier in the day and there was a suspicion of the head of the pancreas being slightly out of shape. This required a CT scan with contrast to confirm the possibility.
2. In the contrast CT scan there is no obvious abnormal mass. The head of the pancreas is slightly prominent but there is no abnormal area seen in the region. This usually is seen due to a normal ventral pancreas.
3. I understand the confusion and paranoia you are facing due to the CT notes. I suggest you consult a gastroenterologist and discuss your symptoms in detail. In most probability the gastroenterologist will examine you clinically and guide you with any treatment decisions after complete clinical examination.
There are certain tests like CA 19-9 which is a simple blood test that predicts possibility of cancer pancreas and I suggest you get it done if in doubt. If the CA 19-9 level is high then I recommend endoscopic ultrasound scan to get a closer look at the pancreas. Your doctor might also do the regular pancreas enzyme tests if symptomatically and clinically indicated.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Consult a gastroenterologist and get CA 19-9 blood test done if required
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. The plain CT scan was done earlier in the day and there was a suspicion of the head of the pancreas being slightly out of shape. This required a CT scan with contrast to confirm the possibility.
2. In the contrast CT scan there is no obvious abnormal mass. The head of the pancreas is slightly prominent but there is no abnormal area seen in the region. This usually is seen due to a normal ventral pancreas.
3. I understand the confusion and paranoia you are facing due to the CT notes. I suggest you consult a gastroenterologist and discuss your symptoms in detail. In most probability the gastroenterologist will examine you clinically and guide you with any treatment decisions after complete clinical examination.
There are certain tests like CA 19-9 which is a simple blood test that predicts possibility of cancer pancreas and I suggest you get it done if in doubt. If the CA 19-9 level is high then I recommend endoscopic ultrasound scan to get a closer look at the pancreas. Your doctor might also do the regular pancreas enzyme tests if symptomatically and clinically indicated.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can you elaborate on 3 things?
1- When a radiologist uses the words "full/appreciated" is that the same as enlarged or is that just a description of how my pancreas looks in shape? would they use the word enlarged if the size was off?
2- When you say "this usually is seen due to a normal vental pancreas"? are you saying that this is sometimes seen in normal healthy pancreas'?
3- I plan to follow up with a GI, IF I have no symptoms should I still request the blood tests be does just because of what the CT showed or if the GI says it sounds normal should I let it go at that?
1- When a radiologist uses the words "full/appreciated" is that the same as enlarged or is that just a description of how my pancreas looks in shape? would they use the word enlarged if the size was off?
2- When you say "this usually is seen due to a normal vental pancreas"? are you saying that this is sometimes seen in normal healthy pancreas'?
3- I plan to follow up with a GI, IF I have no symptoms should I still request the blood tests be does just because of what the CT showed or if the GI says it sounds normal should I let it go at that?
Brief Answer:
Please discuss CA 19 9 with the gastroenterologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The statement refers to your pancreas being out of shape in the head region. It is not specifying an enlarged pancreas.
2. Ventral pancreas refers to normal anatomical variant and is considered to be normal pancreas.
3. Pancreas imaging is delicate and controversial at times. I want you to stay healthy. Therefore I have suggested a gastroenterologist consultation and the blood tests might be done. It is better to be safe than sorry. I suggest you get CA 19-9 test discussed with your doctor and close monitoring of symptoms.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please discuss CA 19 9 with the gastroenterologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The statement refers to your pancreas being out of shape in the head region. It is not specifying an enlarged pancreas.
2. Ventral pancreas refers to normal anatomical variant and is considered to be normal pancreas.
3. Pancreas imaging is delicate and controversial at times. I want you to stay healthy. Therefore I have suggested a gastroenterologist consultation and the blood tests might be done. It is better to be safe than sorry. I suggest you get CA 19-9 test discussed with your doctor and close monitoring of symptoms.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
One last question if you don't mind...
A pancreas with my shape description...is it likely I've always had this shape or is this usually something the pancreas changes into? Or can it be both?
Thank you for sharing your experise!
A pancreas with my shape description...is it likely I've always had this shape or is this usually something the pancreas changes into? Or can it be both?
Thank you for sharing your experise!
Brief Answer:
If you have a normal variant then the pancreas shape is since you were born
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Some people might have the shape of pancreas which you have since birth. It is a congenital variation and not abnormal. The pancreas is a tadpole like structure in the upper abdomen. It has a head, neck, body and tail. The head region shows variations in few people and that is what has been suggested in your report.
2. There are conditions like cancer where the shape changes slowly over weeks to months. A cancer in pancreas might not cause symptoms in early stages and is difficult to treat in later stages. Therefore when there is a doubt about the pancreas shape then it is important to do detailed investigation and rule out serious disease.
3. I hope your pancreas is a normal variant but it is suggested that the other serious causes are ruled out by the available simple tests.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
If you have a normal variant then the pancreas shape is since you were born
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Some people might have the shape of pancreas which you have since birth. It is a congenital variation and not abnormal. The pancreas is a tadpole like structure in the upper abdomen. It has a head, neck, body and tail. The head region shows variations in few people and that is what has been suggested in your report.
2. There are conditions like cancer where the shape changes slowly over weeks to months. A cancer in pancreas might not cause symptoms in early stages and is difficult to treat in later stages. Therefore when there is a doubt about the pancreas shape then it is important to do detailed investigation and rule out serious disease.
3. I hope your pancreas is a normal variant but it is suggested that the other serious causes are ruled out by the available simple tests.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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