Stomach Anurisms

[DarceyK123]

Took MIL for a scan of her stomach at the hospital today as she has been feeling sick every time she ate anything.

They didn't really say much but I'm sure I heard him say to someone else something about anurisms (sp?).

I didn't mention it to her as they said your GP with explain everything but should we be worried.

[bednobs]

What sort of scan was it?
if she does indeed have an abdominal aortic aneurysm then it is worrying. But at the moment that is a big if (especially if based on half an overheard convo). She needs to wait for the results

[DarceyK123]

It was one similar to a baby scan where they put jelly on and rubbed the instrument on her stomach.

[DarceyK123]

I'm obviously not going to say anything, i don't want to worry her unecessarily, I may have got it completely wrong or they may have been talking about someone else but I'm worried now.

[Sqad]

It is an ultrasound scan of the stomach and the word is aneurysm.
This is a weakness in the wall of the main artery...the abdominal aorto
Should you be worried/ probably not depending upon the size of the aneurysm.
If it is large, it can be resected and a graft inserted, but if it is small, then no treatment will be needed.
The only danger is if it is large, then it might burst.....and that is a big deal.
All depends upon the size.

[Sqad]

There was some talk of a nationwide screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms and there was a couple or more pilot screens set up, but i have not seen any reports.

[DarceyK123]

Thanks for your replies, that makes me feel a bit better, just have to see what the GP says.

[pixie374]

The screening is only for men over 65. We have a client who has had an aneurysm for many years now and it's 6cm. It's still growing, but he isn't well enough for an operation. As sqad says, it depends on the size, but try not to worry until they at least confirm it.

[DarceyK123]

Thanks Pixie, shes 78 so she probably would be suitable, fingers crossed the GP calls her in soon so we know where we are.

[NoMercy]

If it's an AAA it will need monitoring by the vascular surgeons so she should expect to be referred in due course.

[goodgoalie]

Someone very close to me went for a scan for AAA, they found it was very big and he had to have an operation PDQ - huge scar on his stomach and a few side effects. Evidently, for some reason, only men are invited for a scan when they're around 64/65; but, reassuringly, 98% are found to be normal. Reliable info:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/

[campbellking]

The reason that only men are invited for routine scans is because AAAs are mainly found in males. Operations are generally offered when the AAA is 5.5 cm or above. Most procedures are not now open grafting procedures, but instead the aneurysm is stented (termed an endovascular aneurysm repair), recovery time is much quicker and does not require intensive care admission. Patients are generally discharged home within 24 hours of this.