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Interesting x-ray today...

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Posted 7/28/2011 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
So, I've been constipated for a little over a month. Last week my GI ordered an x-ray to make sure there were no obstructions.

I go today to get the x-ray and ask the technician if I need to stay while the doctor or radiologist or whoever reads the x-rays.  She said if she saw anything "alarming" she would let the doctor know right away.

So after she takes the first x-ray, she comes back and asks if I have ever had abdominal surgery. I told her about my bowel resection, like 7 years ago.  She then asks if they left a pin inside of me?!?!?

Um.. what?!?

I told her I knew nothing of any pins and I have had lots of x-rays since my resection and noone has ever mentioned any pins being inside of me.

She just shrugged and said it was probably nothing.  BUT the site of this alleged "pin" is the same area where I've been having swelling and pain.

What am I supposed to do?!? I don't see the doctor again until next Friday. I can't wait a week, driving myself crazy wondering what is going on!!

Posted 7/28/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! That is totally crazy! Call the Radiologist and ask him discuss the report with you! You have a right to any and all of your medical reports.
If it is a metal object that was left "behind", you should get legal advice because your insurer may balk because of subrogation.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted 7/29/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Well the thing is, I'm pretty sure there aren't any metal pins inside of me! I would've thought someone else would have mentioned it to me by now! lol I'm just wondering if what she saw was some kind of obstruction?

The doctor I'm currently seeing is in a clinic, and they are super busy and it's soo hard to get ahold of anybody! It took me 6 months to get an appointment! :(
Posted 7/29/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe it was a surgical clip and was positioned in a way that it looked like a pin. I can't think of what a pin would have been used for in surgery....but I know I have surgical clips in me from resections.

Just a thought...

If you don't hear anything in the next day from your doctor's office, it's probably nothing. Usually if a radiologist sees something that needs immediate attention they call the dr and don't wait for the report to be sent for results.
Posted 7/29/2011 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Wouldn't a doctor have told me if there was a surgical clip inside of me?
I honestly don't recall the doctor telling me anything after my resection. I was pretty knocked out lol
Posted 7/29/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Your doctor wouldn't have told you about a surgical clip if he/she left it inside of you by mistake and didn't realize it. And given that the intestine is twisty, it's entirely possible that nobody's noticed it until now. I'm with pmedic: you have a right to see any and all reports, x-rays, etc., pertaining to your case. I'd insist on an immediate consultation with the radiologist--and/or a second opinion from a different radiologist, if necessary. And yup, if there's evidence that something was left inside you in error, you'll probably need to find an attorney to help you through whatever comes next. Good luck!
Posted 7/29/2011 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Surgical clips aren't things left behind, they're used to put you together, and if you have them, they were left intentionally. And no, they wouldn't have told you whether they used them or not. There's really no reason for you to need to know if you have them. I only knew I had some because I saw my xrays and recognized what they were.

It's also possible that it was an artifact on the image. Like there was something on the table or on your gown that showed up on the xray. Just in case they call you and do more xrays, that's probably the case.

There are tons of reasonable explanations that aren't bad. I'd just call your doctor tomorrow and ask if they got the report because the tech scared you by asking if you had a pin in you, and if you don't hear back, call back in a couple hours. By the way, the tech really shouldn't have said anything to you...that's the reason doctors give results, so patients know the whole story and don't get mislead that something is terribly wrong.

I hope it's really nothing to be worried about. Good luck and let us know how things end up!
Posted 7/29/2011 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had my post-resection follow-up with my surgeon today. I asked about any metal being left behind and he told me that surgeons usually leave some titanium staples to keep the area closed. They're fine, don't impact an MRI and someitmes show up on an x-ray. So odds are, that's what it is. I'd still call my surgeon and tell him it freaked me out and ask for information.
Posted 8/3/2011 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Did you find anything out? What did your Dr say about it? Just curious...
Posted 8/3/2011 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have surgical clips inside me too from past surgeries. I bet thats what it is. Good luck!
Posted 8/3/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I also have surgical clips from past surgeries. They don't freak out the xray techs as much as the calcified barium in the loop on my left side did. But that was removed at my last surgery. Ask to make sure, but it's probably nothing to worry about.
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