Chest X-Ray

[fmkkm]

Hi there,

Quick question, it is part of the GCA treatment protocol at my rheumatologist to do a chest x-ray every year to screen for aneurysm. Is this legit? I don’t see this mentioned much and I avoid extra radiation if possible.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It is referred to in the guidelines - but not sure how widespread it is carried out.

I was never offered one - but then my GCA was above the neck!

[fmkkm in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, mine is also above the neck. I have very little radiology experience so didn’t know what to do with this.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to fmkkm]

If you have been offered it- then your medical provider is following the guidelines - but it’s up to you to accept or decline.

[SnazzyD]

I wasn’t offered one but had PET scan (far too late into Pred treatment) to look for inflammation elsewhere to my head. It is possible you can get them if there is vasculitis in the more major vessels but I wasn’t aware it was part of the protocol in my locality. The aorta is also in the abdomen ,not just the chest too.

Try these for general info and methods

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

nhs.uk/conditions/abdominal...

[fmkkm in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you!

[jinasc]

I had one every two years on Aorta and Pulmonary artery. It is in the GCA Diagnosis and Treatment of GCA for a good reason. The medics would not have insisted on it being in, if there was not a good reason.

LVV can just present in one place.

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

Problem is that not all thoracic aortic aneurysms show on Chest X Ray, mine doesn’t.

I am not sure if this is based on expert opinion or actual evidence.

[jinasc in reply to Hidden]

You posted on the British Heart Foundation thread that "I have Vasospastic angina

(microvascular dysfunction ) which is probably secondary to my rare, auto immune disease."

Can I ask what is the other rare, auto immune illness please or is it GCA?

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

It’s Behçet’s disease ( another of the Vasculitis variants ) which can affect any size of blood vessel. In my case I have a mix of small and large vessel disease.

It concerns me that we probably don’t know the sensitivity and specificity of CXR to detect thoracic, aortic aneurysms, regardless of cause.

[jinasc in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[Thomas45]

What a n interesting question.whenever I have to have a chest x-ray, the last time was November 2017, I have a double dose of radiation as I have long lungs so need two plates.

[Hellyowl]

I have had GCA 3.5 years and have never been offered a chest exray but I would have one if offered for peace of mind. I suppose you could refuse in subsequent Yeats if you think it is too much

[5lupins]

Diagnosed with gca ten years ago after intensive tests and finally a Pet scan. All of my arteries glowed but never had X-ray at first. The rheumi I have now gas an Echo and a X-ray done every two years. All ok. I feel lucky as I was very ill by tthe time of diagnosis even though I was already on twenty mg of pred. It was plain to see.

I would have at least one just to check how things are now. J.

[Hidden]

When l went to see the Urologist, he wanted to do a specific kidney investigation but when l said l’d has a CT in March, he decided to wait.

When l was having my CTScan there was a list of different types of X-rays & the equivalent exposure to Background Radiation.

My CT was the equivalent of 3years BR & when l read about my Bone Scan it was another 2years BR - for clarity that is NOT a DEXA Scan but a full body Bone Scan.

I believe a Chest X-ray is the equivalent to 3days Background Radiation.

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It IS recommended but rarely done. Be grateful! It isn't perfect but it is helpful. And the radiation dose is pretty small.