CT Angio Test Results

[Lenore58]

First off, I’m so grateful for this forum and those listen to us and advise and support all of us on this unwanted journey we are on.

I got the results of my chest, abdominal, and pelvis CT scan today.

Chest: Ascending and descending aorta normal. Everything else normal.

Abdominal Aorta: “No significant stenosis or aneurysmal dilation. Mild arteriosclerotic vascular malformation. “

Everything else normal.

Except “other findings” :

“17 mm. calcified splenic artery aneurysm.”

From the bit of reading I have done and a phone call with my doctor: this a small aneurysm that will be watched. They won’t do anything unless it grows to over two or 2.5 mm, unless it starts growing fast or bursts, which hopefully it will not.

I am supposing that this is caused by the GCA…?

And also apparently the “Mild arteriosclerotic vascular malformation.“ is not concerning, but likely also caused by the GCA?

Wondering if PMRpro will have some insights or info from her significant and hearty research.

Thanks to all. xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - not familiar with this - more reading required!!!

[AntBrad]

Hi Lenore

Two months ago I had a femoral artery aneurysm removed. It was noted on scans a few years back and then started to grow. I have pretty much fully recovered from the surgery. I have a few more aneurysm's in my legs which are being monitored and I will be having another surgery in April. I am on Tocilzumab which my rheumy thinks is essential for keeping the aneurysms under control given my aneurysms have been growing. My rheumy doesn't have any other patients like me so it is very uncommon. Hopefully yours won't grow.

[Lenore58 in reply to AntBrad]

Thank you AntBrad. So glad your surgery went well and that you are being closely monitored. My legs have not been checked, but I’ve had symptoms in them for years (cramps, constant twitching, also varicosities.) What kind of scans are they using on your legs?

[AntBrad in reply to Lenore58]

MRIs mainly but recently ultrasound. The ultrasound seems to really only work for arteries near the skins surface.

[AntBrad in reply to AntBrad]

More specifically CT Angiograms which I have been calling MRI's

[Lenore58 in reply to AntBrad]

MRIs emit no radiation, as they are magnetic. CT scans expose us to radiation. I’m wondering if they can monitor us without exposing us over and over again to radiation!

[Lenore58]

I had MRIs and MRAs of my head and neck, but they used CT scans for my chest, abdomen and pelvis.