Today we had the consult with the gastroenterologist specialist in Colorado Springs. Since Doug is feeling back to 'normal' now, the doc couldn't begin to say what was wrong. But he did say the ultrasound report should not have used the word "obstruction". He said if there had really been a true obstruction, Doug would have ended up in the ER and been very very sick. He feels it could have been a stricture of some kind.
The gastroenterologist said that testing would be a good idea, to rule out anything serious, since there was some dilation of the bile duct and pancreatic ducts. We agree. The doc laid out choices, starting with the least invasive - MRI. Doug can't have that due to his pacemaker. Next choice was CT scan with contrast. Doug can't tolerate contrast due to compromised kidney function. That leaves "upper endoscopic ultrasound" known as EUS. He said this is the gold standard test but it is invasive so they usually do the other tests first.
Think of colonoscopy, with differences. After IV sedation, a tube called an endoscope is inserted via the mouth. On the end of the endoscope is a camera and an ultrasound transducer. Images are more accurate and detailed than traditional ultrasound because the transducer is close to the organs.
Only two physicians out of this speciality group do the EUS, so we have to wait for it to be scheduled. That's okay.
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2 comments:
Hope all is well (or as well as they can be.) I pray the tests results are good.
I have had problems with my bile duct before. I hope everything went well for you! That is interesting about how they can't quite figure out what the obstruction is. Did you consider getting checked out by another gastroenterologist?
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