Can pulmonary hypertension be diagnosed/ruled out through a CT scan?
January 21st, 2009 | by Pressurized |monkey mom asked:
I have had all of the symptoms of PPH for several weeks. Doctors have done an EKG (pulse was 118), chest x-rays, and a CT scan of my chest (ruling out pulmonary embollism). They also did a ton of blood work that all came back normal. I’m currently waiting to hear results of my blood sedementation test. They said they had no clue and I should just be relieved after the CT, but I’m not. Does anyone know if they could have already ruled out pulmonary hypertension?
PS3
I have had all of the symptoms of PPH for several weeks. Doctors have done an EKG (pulse was 118), chest x-rays, and a CT scan of my chest (ruling out pulmonary embollism). They also did a ton of blood work that all came back normal. I’m currently waiting to hear results of my blood sedementation test. They said they had no clue and I should just be relieved after the CT, but I’m not. Does anyone know if they could have already ruled out pulmonary hypertension?
PS3
2 Responses to “Can pulmonary hypertension be diagnosed/ruled out through a CT scan?”
By JCRbama on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Not quite yet, they will need to review the final bloodwork, after that you should know much more. The only remaining test after bloodwork would be a biopsy. Looks like your in good hands, they followed the proper course of diagnosis.
The following is the diagnosis procedure for pulmonary hypertension. It is from the medical journal — American Family Physician - July 2001
– A patient suspected of having PPH should be given certain diagnostic tests, including a chest radiograph (may show enlarged pulmonary arteries but clear lungs); a ventilation-perfusion scan (may show mild abnormalities at the periphery); an echocardiogram (may show normal left heart function without defects in the septum); and pulmonary function tests (may show no airway obstruction but a mild reduction in lung volumes). Blood tests may be needed to exclude secondary causes of pulmonary hypertension, including antinuclear antibody, human immunodeficiency virus tests, liver function tests and hepatitis serology tests. A lung biopsy is necessary only in rare cases when the clinical diagnosis is uncertain. –
Hope this helps!
By Dr.in.da H on Jan 26, 2009 | Reply
trust me, you do not have PPH.
This disease is usually diagnosed by lung biopsy after prolonged period of symptomes for years.
it startes with symptomes od shortnes of braeth, exercise intolerance.(very non specific as you see)
ther SHOULD be changes on the heart ECHO & EKG too.
ESR (sedimentation rate)has no value my dear.
Just realx, you are worried TWO much ( or I may say : three much)