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Can CT Scan With Contrast Miss Something Wrong With Bile

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Posted on Fri, 5 Jul 2019
Question: Can CT Scan with contrast miss something wrong with bile ducts ? My doctor has suggested me to talk to a gastro about HIDA scan and MRCP to rule out things with the bile ducts.
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (4 minutes later)
Also, how likely will a CT scan, HIDA scan and MRCP miss bile duct issues, if any?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
CT is not very sensitive however HIDA and MRCP won't miss it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details,
CT is scan is just a basic test in which X rsy is rotated through 360 degree and slices along various angles are taken.Not very sensitive for major changes in small tubes like bile duct but is usually used to rule out major pathology like bile stones etc.HIDA scan with MRCP is far superior when it comes to bile duct and other hepatobiliary system.
Go for it.
Hope I was helpful,
feel free to follow up with reports.
Do rate the answer.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (25 minutes later)
Lot of burping, gas, flatulence, back pain , dull abdominal pain(intermittent).

I had a Endoscopy, CT Scan with contrast, LFT, Amylase, Lipase, US of abdomen, CBC, gastric emptying all of which came back as normal.

Do you think these symptoms are suggestive of bile duct issues. I have also attached an image of the dull ache in my abdomen.
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 minute later)
Also, have back ache on the flanks, and should blades but not severe or disturbing. Had a MRI of spine for the same. Came back as normal. I am 28 year old XXXXXXX male, with no family history of cancer or anything to do with the bile ducts.
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 minutes later)
Also, will a normal HIDA scan and MRCP rule out anything to do with bile ducts?
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 minutes later)
No weight changes, i have actually gained 1 Kg, diet is normal. If I eat certain foods i burp a lot more than the usual burping(which is again a lot compared to the normal levels)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I dont feel you need any further testing now. This seemed to be a case of dyspepsia.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Your symptoms are suggestive of dyspepsia which is an umbrella term used to cover all symptoms you are having. You need proper diet and medicines I don't think any further testing is required.

Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to excess gas formation.

In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:

* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.

* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.

Follow up after 5 days.
You would feel much better.
No tests required immediately.

Follow up after a week.
Thanks


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Thank you for the reply, incase the doctor asks me to go ahead with the tests (HIDA Scan or MRCP), will a normal HIDA scan and MRCP rule out anything to do with bile ducts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hey again,
Just ask him to wait for a week.
Do rate the answer.
Follow up after 5 days.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (58 minutes later)
Again, thank you for the reply doctor. My issue has been going for almost 3-4 months now. Not sure how a week's time would make any difference.
This is why I am pushing for the scans and thats why I want to know the efficacy of the scans and whether they would safely rule out any issues with bile ducts.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
HIDA and MRCP are far superior to CT.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again ,
Yes efficacy of HIDA and MRCP is much more compared to CT.
But your issue is not related to bile duct.
Its a clear cut case of dyspepsia and therefore till date all scans are normal,
Just do one thing ask your surgeon what does he want to find in HIDA and MRCP? i.e why is he doing it?And what could be the possible relation of bloating belching.
You give a clear cut history of increase of symptoms on eating certain foods.So was any digestive enzyme substitute given?Why not anti bloating meds started?
Hope you can understand,
In XXXXXXX Doctors un necessarily would keep intervening you.
Ask him its your right.Then proceed for tests if satisfied.
What medicines have been given to you till date?
Please do follow up,
Waiting.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (48 minutes later)
Thanks again doctor.
I will talk to the doctor about this. Even now I have the pain in the right side of the abdomen and the flank pain but is accompanied with burping. It feels more like gas pain, like the gas pokes in the ribs, I burp and then it goes away. Then the gas pokes/Pain sensation in the abdomen it goes away.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Gas is formed as a result of fermentation of food in intestines by bad bacteria and yeast.Left untreated this lead to soreness and inflammation of intestines which would cause painUnless treated properly by antispasmodics light food and probiotics this thing wont go away.Even ERPCP etc are invasive tests and adds to destruction of good gut flora.Ask your gastrolenterologist what is he suspecting for which HIDA and ERCP is required.
Lets see what he answers and secondly why no medication has been stared.The other doctor you consulted here also is saying the same thing.

Hope you can get what i want to explain.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (35 minutes later)
I am seeing a different gastro doctor now. My previous gastro doctor prescribed me probiotics, omeprazole, sucralfate and antacids. He did not talk about digestive enzymes or any other medicines.

Every now and then I get this gas pains on the right side and the side of the ribs and sometimes the back with burping.
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (21 hours later)
One more question, before I see my gastro, so a pain or discomfort associated with bile ducts which is intermittent in nature will it be like a pain/pressure which would last for couple of mins/hrs and then go away or it could be like something I am having which feels like a poking sensation which lasts for seconds and goes away and is not specific to one single spot or region but which is random in nature?

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Pain is because of gas. Try the medicines I suggested for a week and follow up.
you would feel much better.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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Can CT Scan With Contrast Miss Something Wrong With Bile

Also, how likely will a CT scan, HIDA scan and MRCP miss bile duct issues, if any?