CT Scan

[csutherland]

Jerry had his yearly CT scan for the ascending aortic aneurysm on Friday. Since it was discovered 2 yrs ago (or has it been 3 now?) it hasn't grown. Hopefully, these results will also say 5.2-5.3. Either way, I guess we'll be making a trip to St Louis to see Dr Kouchoukas as he always seems to want to lay eyes on Jerry even if everything looks stable on the CT that's done here in Springfield.

Jerry's pretty remarkable. He'll be 70 this month. The devastating ice storm just made him want him to work harder! He's worked a couple of 10-hr days clearing limbs for folks and today is probably going to work to death the 40-something guy he's helping. He says he's careful. I can only believe that this is what he needs to do to be happy and he should do it as long as he possibly can.

 

[Nancy]

That's right, Celia. Whatever he feels he can do, he should do as long as he's careful. It's what kept Joe going. Sitting around leads to debilitation, and that is a bad thing. I'm glad things are in a stable condition, and that he feels so well.

 

[Mary]

I'm going to jump in and ask a question here, because it has become a major source of debate between my husband and myself
I have/had a BAV that was replaced in June, 2005 (by Dr. Kouchoukos). The root was only mildly dilated, so nothing other than the valve was replaced.
Our son has a BAV (found by echo two years ago).
On my last trip to the cardio, I asked about management of our son's BAV since he's still being seen by our family practice doctor. The cardio said since he had a BAV, he should have a CAT or MRI, I can't remember which, to check the aorta and then follow up each year.
So here's my question . . .
If our son should have a CAT, or MRI, should I? With the bicuspid aortic disease, aren't I at the same risk to develop an aneurysm? Just because the valve is gone, that doesn't change the character of the connective tissue issue. My last two echos are showing a dilated vena cava, and although I know this is on the right side, I'm wondering if I'm not more prone to enlargement due to my connective tissue.
I have never had a CT.
Thoughts?

 

[csutherland]

Well I would think so. I've done a lot of research concerning Jerry's aneurysm, and BAV is almost always mentioned along with it. No doctor has ever told us that Jerry had BAV, but I do believe there's a familial predisposition to aortic valve disease and aneurysms in his case. (paternal cousins, that we know of).

How was your experience with Dr Kouchoukas? You can email me privately if you wish.

 

[Karlynn]

Mary, I agree with you. From all I've read here, I would think you'd want to still be concerned about your aorta and aneurysm.

 

[Mike C]

Mary,

You should continue to monitor your ascending aorta. Although nto as accurate, it will show on echos as well so hopefully you have been having the echos and it has not grown thus no need for a ct scan or mri.

However, I would make absolute certain that this is true.


also, ct scan or mri is best way to measure.

doesnt matter if original valve exists or not, still at risk for aneurysm, same risk as your son

 

[csutherland]

Good news!

Good news!

Received a call for PCP's nurse yesterday letting us know the CT scan report said everything is "stable". I pressed her to read the measurements for me. I could tell she knows less than I do about aortic aneurysms (I guess her husband doesn't have one!). Anyway, she said the numbers were 5.1 x 5.0. That's smaller than it's ever been. I know that it depends on the technician and radiologist reading it, etc. I wish we could always have the same person doing it.

Jerry will pick up a copy of the results next week so we can see for ourselves. Dr Kouchoukas in St Louis always wants to do his own look-see at the films as well.

I guess we have another year to breathe easy. We don't worry much between CTs.

 

[jkn2kids]

Celia-
I have a 4.8 cm ascending aortic aneurysm and my surgeon at Johns Hopkins says to operate at 5 cm.I also have a BAV so this might be a trigger point to operate.I would ask the surgeon at what point he would operate.Good luck!!!