Question about blood clog?

my grandpa has blood clog somewhere in his body due to the fact he is getting old and his blood vessals begin to shrink..





the thing is.. in order to identify where the blood clog is the doctor has to inject something into his body in order to show on the MRI.. and that procedure alone is very bad for his kidney or liver..





we are not sure what's the best solution here....

Question about blood clog?
Hopes this helps, found it here http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thr...


Good Luck with your GPA, I hope he will be OK





How is a DVT diagnosed?





Several tests, each of which has certain advantages and limitations, can be used to diagnose the presence of a DVT. The oldest of these tests is venography. This test is performed by injecting a radiopaque fluid (dye that can be seen on an x–ray) into a vein on the top of the foot. The dye flows with the blood and fills the veins of the leg, thigh, and pelvis. An obstructing blood clot in one of these veins can be seen on an x–ray as a dye–free area within the vein. Venography is the most accurate test to identify a DVT, but it is painful, expensive, and occasionally can itself cause painful inflammation of the veins (phlebitis). Furthermore, venography requires a high degree of expertise to perform and interpret correctly.





Because of these problems, venography has largely been replaced by venous ultrasonography for the diagnosis of DVTs. Venous ultrasonography uses sound waves to examine the veins to determine if a blood clot is present, much the same way as sound waves are used from the surface of the ocean to detect submarines that are beneath the water. An ultrasound probe is placed on the skin over the deep veins of the legs, while applying gentle pressure to see if the vein can be squeezed shut. A normal vein can be easily squeezed whereas a vein that has a clot cannot. A recent improvement in venous ultrasonography is the addition of another sound wave technology called Doppler (Duplex) ultrasound. This technique improves the identification of blood clots in veins by determining the amount of blood flowing in the veins. Veins with clots have slow or no flow of blood.





The major advantages of venous ultrasonography are that it is non– invasive (safe), painless, easy to perform, and capable of diagnosing 96% of patients with DVTs above the knee. (Incidentally, above the knee is the most dangerous location for DVTs because although they are less likely to cause symptoms, they are more apt to grow larger and form larger pulmonary emboli than DVTs below the knee.)





Although rarely used today, another technique for diagnosing DVTs is impedance plethysmography. In this procedure, blood pressure cuffs are placed on the legs to determine the pressures at which the veins are filled or collapsed, so that obstructing blood clots can be identified.





Recently, studies involving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), another non–invasive imaging technique, have demonstrated its effectiveness in diagnosing DVTs, especially in the thigh and pelvic veins. These early studies, however, were done in small numbers of patients, and most physicians are waiting for the results of further studies before recommending MRI to diagnose DVTs. This can be helpful in patients who have impaired kidney function who cannot, as a result, receive iodine containing contrast agents.
Reply:First of all - it's a blood CLOT, not a blood CLOG. Wow, do you get out at all?? Second, get the MRI.
Reply:Well....does he have problems w/his kidnies or liver....you should probably look the stuff up online to see how badly the injection can affect his kidnies %26amp; liver.


I read on a site that blood clots in the elderly are usually somewhere in the legs if they aren't really active...





I'm sorry about your grandpa sweetie...I know ur definetly not happy about this...the situation definetly sucks
Reply:its a blood clot
Reply:First, Let me say this thank for the interesting question. So I have one for all the comments later correcting the word from "clogs" to clots, so I ask how many had trouble with making the same determination.





Thanks
Reply:Get a second opinion. Blood clots are usually handled with blood thinners. There may not be a need to damage your grandpa's health further.
Reply:first of all it's called a blood clot...honey, listen to the doctors, they know how much risk is involved and how to priorities. Hang in there and as scary as it sounds....put your trust in the professionals. Good luck, sweety
Reply:A blood clot can be extremely bad and deadly! I was just hurt and Im suppossed to be on bed rest for the next month BUT they wanted me to atleast try to use crutches for awhile because if u r immobile for too long u can develop blood clots which can kill u in the long run. Ive had MRI's in the past where they did have to inject with a dye so they can see certain things more clearly- and as far as I know its a safe procedure but if it makes u and your family feel better- definetely get a 2nd opinion! Theres no harm in a 2nd doctor telling u what he thinks! Better safe than sorry! My dad was diabetic and passed away years ago due to complications. he actually died from a cough drop! The sugar contained in a cough drop is WAY out there and he had a cold and took the cough drops and it put him in a diabetic coma. He ended up having a heart attack while in his coma. DEFINETELY get a 2nd opinion but blood clots can cost him his life so its not something he wants to wait on too long! U r in my thoughts!



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