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Worried about CT scan after endoscopy

Posted , 4 users are following.

gurm
gurm

Hi,

I wonder if anyone could offer some advice as I am getting quite worried (probably excessively) about my 21 year old son's investigations? Since last November he's been complaining about it being difficult swallowing food and since July this year it got worse to the point where he was drinking 2-3 glasses of water with his food to be able to swallow the food.

After going to his dr a few times, he yesterday went for an endoscopy. The endoscopist said everything looked normal apart from some inflammation of the oesophagus about 30cm in (his notes on the patient copy of the report says 'At approximately 30cm into the osephagus I noted resistance. The area was narrower and inflammed. Unable to traverse as patient found it uncomfortable. Biopsies taken and procedure terminated'wink. He said the inflammation was most likely from stomach acid coming back up and prescribed my son omeprazole for 8 weeks and then for him to have the endoscopy repeated.

The endoscopist doctor has rung today to say that he showed my sons results to another specialist in endoscopy at the hospital who has suggested a CT scan which my son has to go for.

Is this just the hospital being thorough with the CT scan as the endoscopy was terminated at 30cm or is the CT scan because they may feel that the inflammation may be due to malignancy?

Thank you,

Gurm

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • becky7624
    becky7624 gurm

    Posted

    The CT scan is probably due to the narrowing of the esophagus. If the biopsy showed cancer, I believe the doctor would have told your son. I've always had anesthesia for endoscopies so that my comfort has never been an issue. I'm surprised that your son was awake enough to feel anything.

    • gurm
      gurm becky7624

      Posted

      Hi Becky - thanks for your reply. My son was given a sedative so was awake during the endoscopy - I think my concern was that they only did the endoscopy and took biopsies yesterday and today we had the phone call for the CT scan. The dr who did the endoscopy said he felt it was a bit over the top to do the CT scan but I think the dr who has recommended it was more senior to him. Gurm
    • becky7624
      becky7624 gurm

      Posted

      I understand your concern. A CT scan does seem a bit radical, but the doctor may just be extremely cautious. It is unusual to have a lot of narrowing so maybe the doctor is trying to rule out as many possibilities as he can. I still don't think cancer is his main concern. Any cancer large enough to cause a blockage would certainly have been seen during the endoscopy, and it would be very unusual given your son's age. I hope that he gets better and you can stop worrying about this issue.

       

  • AlanJM
    AlanJM gurm

    Posted

    An endoscopy is a perfectly sensible investigative procedure.   It sounds as if his oesophagus is very inflamed.   The Omeprazole will reduce the amount of acid produced by his stomach (which is naturally very acidic anyway because that is what a healthy digestion needs).   There may be a problem in and around the lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve at the diaphragm that allows food to go down into the stomach, but should normally keep stomach acid in its place.   In many cases Omeprazole would reduce the inflammation and may even allow the underlying problem to heal by itself.   If it were a cancerous tumour it would normally have been visibly recognised, but the CT scan (and indeed the biopsies) is a good option to give them a picture as to what is happening, because you do need to have a diagnosis for what is causing this unusual situation.   It does sound like the doctors have been thorough and caring.
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