MSCT scan

Greetings!
I also recently found out that I need to schedule an MSCT of my sinuses—so I was wondering if you have managed to book your appointment or perhaps find out what the pricing looks like lately? I happen to be in San Francisco as well.

Hi there!
I actually just finished my CT scan. I ended up booking a private appointment at the end because the standard wait times were just way too long for me. At Quest Diagnostics, it was about $150. Everything was wrapped up in five minutes—you just wait about half an hour for the results and you're all set.🙂
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions... and... good luck with your exam!

Greetings to everyone on the forum—I am reaching out because I could really use some advice! I have a complex elbow fracture, and the surgeon who would be performing my procedure is requesting an MSCT (specifically on a CD). Well, that’s where things start going sideways. Before my actual consultation with the specialist, the orthopedic doctor sent me off for the MSCT; I went through with it, but all I walked away with was a photo gallery of images on film—kind of like an old-school X-ray—rather than the digital CD. To make matters worse, when I went back to the facility six or seven days later to request the disc, they told me they don't even have my scan on file anymore?! Apparently, due to some technical glitch, the imaging was wiped from their hard drive. So, here is my dilemma:
What should I do now, considering I just had this scan done (and have already absorbed a non-negligible dose of radiation regarding my health), and should I actually go through with repeating it? And if I do, how much of a risk is it really?

George Rodriguez14 said:Greetings to everyone on the forum—I am reaching out because I could really use some advice! I have a complex elbow fracture, and the surgeon who would be performing my procedure is requesting an MSCT (specifically on a CD). Well, that’s where things start going sideways. Before my actual consultation with the specialist, the orthopedic doctor sent me off for the MSCT; I went through with it, but all I walked away with was a photo gallery of images on film—kind of like an old-school X-ray—rather than the digital CD. To make matters worse, when I went back to the facility six or seven days later to request the disc, they told me they don't even have my scan on file anymore?! Apparently, due to some technical glitch, the imaging was wiped from their hard drive. So, here is my dilemma:
What should I do now, considering I just had this scan done (and have already absorbed a non-negligible dose of radiation regarding my health), and should I actually go through with repeating it? And if I do, how much of a risk is it really?

It's incredibly harmful and you absolutely shouldn't be hitting that much intense radiation again anytime soon, especially since doctors barely even recommend CT scans for younger people anyway; an MRI is a way better choice, so if you're forced to redo the imaging, demand they give you a Magn. instead.

fadedheron892 said:It's incredibly harmful and you absolutely shouldn't be hitting that much intense radiation again anytime soon, especially since doctors barely even recommend CT scans for younger people anyway; an MRI is a way better choice, so if you're forced to redo the imaging, demand they give you a Magn. instead.

I couldn't agree more—though, I suppose the surgeon who would be performing the operation tends to favor a CT over an MRI. Does anyone know where one can get an MRI done most quickly? And what kind of price are we looking at if you go through a private clinic rather than using insurance?

If you go private, you’re looking at a price tag around $533, but if you try to use your insurance via a referral, you’ll be stuck waiting at least four months—and honestly, at those massive hospital systems, it could take even longer.

George Rodriguez14 said:I couldn't agree more—though, I suppose the surgeon who would be performing the operation tends to favor a CT over an MRI. Does anyone know where one can get an MRI done most quickly? And what kind of price are we looking at if you go through a private clinic rather than using insurance?

Then just switch doctors already.
I'm pretty sure you'll get seen quickest at Quest Diagnostics, though even then you're looking at about a 4-month wait if you're relying on insurance, just like mistyjackal842 mentioned.

I’m honestly at a bit of a loss as to what the smartest move would be here. Time is—quite frankly—my biggest enemy right now, since I really ought to undergo this surgery as soon as possible, but I’ve just been stuck in this endless loop of research and second-guessing. My doctor claims he’s one of the top specialists in the field, but getting an appointment with someone of his caliber isn't exactly easy, especially when you aren't living in a major hub like NYC. I really appreciate all the comments so far, but I wanted to reach out one more time—if anyone happens to have a sensible suggestion or some actual guidance for my specific situation, please, I’m all ears.

Hey everyone,

I'm starting a fresh thread here since I'm honestly not sure where else to dump this question.
So, basically, I had an MSCT done at a hospital over in Chicago, and they just handed me the results—like, physical printed cross-sections on paper. But what I actually need is the digital files (not even for my own sake, my specialist is specifically demanding them). I actually went back to the hospital to sort it out, but I didn't get any further than the lady at the front desk, who just gave me this blank stare before basically shooing me away.

What I really want to know is if someone can tell me from experience—since I totally blanked on asking my doctor—do these places actually keep those scans stored digitally?
Because honestly, if I have to, I'll sit right back down in that CT machine until I get exactly what I need. 🙄

Thanks in advance.

Yes, certain institutions simply won't provide those files on a CD.
They tend to store everything for a specific window of time—and once that period passes, the data is wiped from the archives.

Though... I'm not entirely sure how much sense it makes to make the trip there if their house rule is to refuse CD requests in the first place.🤷
Besides, if you’re heading in for a follow-up with a specialist at the same hospital, they should be able to access those images just fine through the hospital's internal computer system.

wanderingcobra76 said:Yes, certain institutions simply won't provide those files on a CD.
They tend to store everything for a specific window of time—and once that period passes, the data is wiped from the archives.

Though... I'm not entirely sure how much sense it makes to make the trip there if their house rule is to refuse CD requests in the first place.🤷
Besides, if you’re heading in for a follow-up with a specialist at the same hospital, they should be able to access those images just fine through the hospital's internal computer system.

They are legally obligated to provide those images. You need to cite patient rights laws regarding access to your own medical records. Without a CD, getting a second opinion from another doctor becomes an impossible task—which is itself a violation of your patient rights. Refusing to release findings carries significant fines, which aren't exactly pennies, especially given how tight hospital budgets are these days.
The fastest way to handle this? Have a lawyer draft a formal cease-and-desist on their official letterhead and send it directly to the clinic director. In my experience, that gets things moving at lightning speed.

wanderingcobra76 said:Yes, certain institutions simply won't provide those files on a CD.
They tend to store everything for a specific window of time—and once that period passes, the data is wiped from the archives.

Though... I'm not entirely sure how much sense it makes to make the trip there if their house rule is to refuse CD requests in the first place.🤷
Besides, if you’re heading in for a follow-up with a specialist at the same hospital, they should be able to access those images just fine through the hospital's internal computer system.

Well, that's the catch right there—it's not even the same facility! In the clinic where I've been seeing my specialist for years, you're looking at a two-month wait just to get an appointment.

Anyway, I actually managed to get a hold of them and had to submit a formal request to have my scans released in a digital format. So now I'm just sitting here waiting to see if the good old prof. approves it or shuts me down. 😕

To make things even more ridiculous, I went over to a neighboring facility that very same day (well, technically, it's the "new" version of the same institution under the current management), and it was radiology again. I needed an X-ray that I had taken a few months ago (5), but apparently, it hadn't been "processed" yet. The technician lady looks at me and goes, "Oh, why didn't you say so? Just come over here and I'll give it to you right now!" She pulls up the archive number on her computer, and within three minutes, I’ve got my film in hand. 🙏

So, seriously, who's the crazy one here?

Hey there!

I'm 37.
Yesterday, I went in to see a cardiologist for a full workup—did an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test.
The EKG and echo both came back normal. As for the stress test, they labeled it "negative to borderline." Basically, even though I hit a solid 12.0 METs and didn't experience any actual chest pain or angina, they saw some ST segment changes. Even though those changes don't necessarily point toward myocardial ischemia, they want to run an MSCT coronary angiogram just to be absolutely certain we aren't missing an ischemic cause. There was also some mention of possible bridging??

So now I’m wondering if anyone here has had an MSCT coronary angiogram done? Where did you go, and honestly, how bad is the contrast injection? Also, does anyone actually know what "bridging" refers to in this context?

I'm low-key freaking out here, even though everything is most likely totally fine.

thx

Chloe Garcia10 said:Hey there!

I'm 37.
Yesterday, I went in to see a cardiologist for a full workup—did an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test.
The EKG and echo both came back normal. As for the stress test, they labeled it "negative to borderline." Basically, even though I hit a solid 12.0 METs and didn't experience any actual chest pain or angina, they saw some ST segment changes. Even though those changes don't necessarily point toward myocardial ischemia, they want to run an MSCT coronary angiogram just to be absolutely certain we aren't missing an ischemic cause. There was also some mention of possible bridging??

So now I’m wondering if anyone here has had an MSCT coronary angiogram done? Where did you go, and honestly, how bad is the contrast injection? Also, does anyone actually know what "bridging" refers to in this context?

I'm low-key freaking out here, even though everything is most likely totally fine.

thx

Injecting the contrast isn't painful; it’s administered via an automated injector through an IV in the antecubital fossa (meaning the medical staff doesn't manually push it through a syringe, but rather connects an IV line to a machine that delivers the contrast and saline at a very precise rate).
The only thing you might experience after the contrast is a warm sensation throughout your body or perhaps a fleeting feeling as if you've accidentally lost bladder control.
Naturally, this can't be done for anyone allergic to iodine-based contrast agents, and your kidney function (specifically your creatinine levels) is also a crucial factor.
Prior to the imaging itself, certain medications (such as beta-blockers) are administered to slow the heart rate, which ensures the images are clear enough for detailed analysis.

Bridging refers to a phenomenon where a portion of a coronary artery (one of the main ones) doesn't follow its usual path along the surface of the heart, but instead dives through the muscle tissue itself; this usually doesn't cause symptoms, but it certainly can.

As far as I know, in Chicago, you can get a coronary CT at a major hospital like Northwestern, or privately at places like Quest Diagnostics or similar specialty clinics, but I'm not sure about other facilities.🤷

Thanks a ton. I’m a total worrier by nature and honestly, I've been freaking out about this, so I can't wait to just get this screening done and finally see where I stand. Fingers crossed everything comes back normal—even my doctor mentioned things should be fine.
Are you in the medical field, or did you go through this exact same testing process yourself?

As someone in the medical field, I can tell you 😉

There really isn't anything to worry about—it’s certainly not invasive like a traditional coronary angiography. You'll essentially go through the CT process just three times, and the whole thing takes maybe five minutes? (Though, most of that time is actually just the technical setup for the scan).

Honestly, I’m the one terrified of these results. I am freaking out here.

Why go through all this stress?
I mean, even in the worst-case scenario—if there actually is a significant arterial narrowing—they could just perform a balloon angioplasty or place a stent during a standard coronary angiography. Isn't that far better than simply playing the guessing game while waiting for a heart attack to strike?🤷

I think... I truly understand the anxiety here (which might be more a fear of the unknown than a fear of the actual medical outcomes), but please, try to look at this rationally.
Besides, based on everything we've discussed, it seems highly unlikely that there is any major pathology present at all. 😉

Thanks for the support, everyone. Honestly, I’m just hoping everything turns out fine. I actually just got off the phone with Quest Diagnostics, and they managed to squeeze me in for an appointment on June 28th.

wanderingcobra76 said:Why go through all this stress?
I mean, even in the worst-case scenario—if there actually is a significant arterial narrowing—they could just perform a balloon angioplasty or place a stent during a standard coronary angiography. Isn't that far better than simply playing the guessing game while waiting for a heart attack to strike?🤷

I think... I truly understand the anxiety here (which might be more a fear of the unknown than a fear of the actual medical outcomes), but please, try to look at this rationally.
Besides, based on everything we've discussed, it seems highly unlikely that there is any major pathology present at all. 😉

wanderingcobra76 said:As someone in the medical field, I can tell you 😉

There really isn't anything to worry about—it’s certainly not invasive like a traditional coronary angiography. You'll essentially go through the CT process just three times, and the whole thing takes maybe five minutes? (Though, most of that time is actually just the technical setup for the scan).

Hmm... I don't know, it's not quite that simple in practice... For a CT coronary angiogram to even work, you have to hit certain hemodynamic markers first. The big one is heart rate... if the patient is experiencing tachycardia, the whole thing is pretty much pointless. You have to monitor the patient constantly, which makes the process a lot more complex than people realize. Plus, a radiologist isn't going to step in to medicate a sudden spike in heart rate; you need a different specialist on hand to handle that, and so on... it's a bit more involved than that. At least, in my experience, it is. I'm not saying other places do it differently, but here in the States, when we do a CT coronary, there’s an anesthesia team right there with monitoring gear, ready to give a mix of sedatives and beta blockers via IV to get everything stable enough for a clear shot.
And another thing... a CT coronary isn't some magic substitute for a real-deal coronary angiogram. It's more like a high-tech way to get a general idea of what's happening in the coronary arteries. Honestly, it would be pretty risky to plan any major surgery or jump to a final conclusion based solely on what a CT scan shows.

edit:
My bad, I just realized you already mentioned beta blockers and tachycardia earlier... mea culpa!