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I am not seeking medical advice from any of the members.
Recently, I was admitted into hospital for the treatment of food poisoning. In A&E, I was given an emergency CT scan abdomen and chest. An aortic aneurysm at 5.2 cm was seen. The medics wanted me 10 days post discharge, to have an MRI scan to measure the aneurysm again. They said how in Africa, an MRI for measuring aneurysms is the gold standard.
I emailed a copy of the CT scan and the report to a lead vascular surgeon in the UK and in reply, he said an MRI of the aneurysm would not be helpful and what I need is a full duplex ultrasound vascular scan which will show the aneurysm 'live' with its internal and external measurements. In his opinion, I should have the ultrasound scan in February. When I asked to have the ultrasound in Nairobi, the medics here refused to do the test, citing the MRI is king! At 5.8 cm a repair/graft will be needed. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but if it does, I will have the repairs done in the UK.
So in February I am flying to London to have the vascular ultrasound scan and follow up appointment with the vascular surgeon, both private.. Amazingly, I am not in any pain, but I do not want to take a chance. Its a shame the experts had a difference of opinion over what is the gold standard in vascular diagnostics, but my money is on the UK Doctors getting it right.
In the meantime, have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and New Year
Recently, I was admitted into hospital for the treatment of food poisoning. In A&E, I was given an emergency CT scan abdomen and chest. An aortic aneurysm at 5.2 cm was seen. The medics wanted me 10 days post discharge, to have an MRI scan to measure the aneurysm again. They said how in Africa, an MRI for measuring aneurysms is the gold standard.
I emailed a copy of the CT scan and the report to a lead vascular surgeon in the UK and in reply, he said an MRI of the aneurysm would not be helpful and what I need is a full duplex ultrasound vascular scan which will show the aneurysm 'live' with its internal and external measurements. In his opinion, I should have the ultrasound scan in February. When I asked to have the ultrasound in Nairobi, the medics here refused to do the test, citing the MRI is king! At 5.8 cm a repair/graft will be needed. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but if it does, I will have the repairs done in the UK.
So in February I am flying to London to have the vascular ultrasound scan and follow up appointment with the vascular surgeon, both private.. Amazingly, I am not in any pain, but I do not want to take a chance. Its a shame the experts had a difference of opinion over what is the gold standard in vascular diagnostics, but my money is on the UK Doctors getting it right.
In the meantime, have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and New Year
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