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What Does My CT Scan Report Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Feb 2016
Question: I had a echo XXXXXXX 4, 2015 and no heart enlargement. Had a ct scan XXXXXXX 6, 2015 and no heart enlargement. Had a chest x-ray in XXXXXXX 2015 and no enlargement. Had a ct scan Oct 18 2015 and reading was moderate cardiac enlargement and no pericardial effusion. I am 73 male and bp 120/70 and pulse rate of 72. I feel fine and doubt that I had a virus that could damage to the heart as I would have had symptoms. how could the heart enlarge in such a short period without a virus or heart attack. Is it possible that a ct scan is not very a
accurate for diagnosing heart cardiomyopathy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for contacting me again!
Once again I read your query and understood your concerns.

First of all I would like to have a look of October 18 reports in order to evaluate them by my self.

Secondly I would like to say that the CT scan isn't the most accurate examinations for the evaluations of heart enlargements. It may suggest heart enlargement but cardiac echo is the golden standard examination to properly evaluate it.

If you were my patient I would have recommended doing a cardiac echo (it's recommended to be done once a year). In case that the Echo will be normal, then you shouldn't worry about CT scan findings.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)
Hello Dr.
The ct scan was done for epigastric mass of my abdomen ,not for cardiomegaly.

Ct was negative for any mass, but showed small bilateral pleural effusions and mild enlargement of the spleen In the Findings, the moderate heart enlargement.was mentioned.


In the Impression section, there was no mention about heart enlargement. Most importantly, without a virus how could the heart enlarge in 4 months. Do you think if I had a echo that it would be normal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

The heart can't enlarge within such a short time without miocardial damage (from viruses i.e myocarditis or by jeart attack). Other causes of heart enlargement need more time to progress.

Please keep in mind that CT scan isn't accurate in evaluating cardiac enlargement and it may lead to false results.

As long as you have been free from symptoms you shouldn't worry to much for such a findings.

I suggested above to schedule a cardiac echo to definitely put your mind on ease (I don't expect to be anything abnormal on it). Moreover, the cardiac echo is recommended to be done once a year in patients your age.

Hope this will be of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Benard Shehu

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2257 Questions

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What Does My CT Scan Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Following advice... Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you for contacting me again! Once again I read your query and understood your concerns. First of all I would like to have a look of October 18 reports in order to evaluate them by my self. Secondly I would like to say that the CT scan isn't the most accurate examinations for the evaluations of heart enlargements. It may suggest heart enlargement but cardiac echo is the golden standard examination to properly evaluate it. If you were my patient I would have recommended doing a cardiac echo (it's recommended to be done once a year). In case that the Echo will be normal, then you shouldn't worry about CT scan findings. Hope this will be of help! Wish you health! Dr. Shehu p.s: If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me again.