Question 1

i had two ct scans done recently. one without contrast and one with contrast. both came back normal. what are the chances of a tumor being missed?

Accepted Answer

CT: That would depend on what type of tumor you are looking for. The CT would not miss gross tumor. For example it does not miss colon cancer, but it will miss early polyps.

Question 2

can 2 ct scans with contrasr miss anything wrong in the gi tract ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There can be structural, infectious and metabolic problems within the intestine and liver that are missed by ct scans.  Blood work, physical examination, dietary changes, and stool cultures will determine if direct visualization by scope is necessary.

Question 3

do ct scans with no contrast always miss tumors in the cerebellum?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Brain CT scans without contrast do not always miss cerebellar tumors. A tumor whose density is different from that of its adjacent brain tissue, or whose size is such that it pushes away adjacent brain tissue (distorting the normal shapes and outlines) will likely be visible even on noncontrast scans.

Question 4

how high would chances be that symptomatic colon or rectal cancer be missed on 3 separate ct scans? would this be very likely?

Accepted Answer

Colo-Rectal Cancer : It wasn't clear to me whether or not you are "symptomatic." if not, and you are young <you didn't provide your age either (colon cancer is more likely to appear after age 50 unless you have a cancer gene)> chances of missing a tumor on 3 ct scans are low, but possible. A better screening test is a colonoscopy. You should discuss this with your doctor if it remains a concern.

Question 5

can 2 ct scans with contrast miss anything wrong in the abdomen and pelvis?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Every test has limitations. The ct scans may not have found the problem, but they have likely eliminated some possibilities.  If you have had 2 ct scans and the symptoms persist, follow up with you doctor to determine if any other tests are needed.

Question 6

i've had normal blood labs, multiple normal ultrasounds and ct scans of my right upper quadrant. what are odds they all miss liver damage?

Accepted Answer

Zero: There is zero chance that the tests missed live disease.

Question 7

how is it possible for ct scans to miss kidney stones? i continue to pass fragments but only have stones in my kidneys according to my ct scan in june

Accepted Answer

CT: CT scans don't miss stones even stones that ultrasound or X-ray miss the ct picks the up. Patients can often pass "gravel" like and not have formed stones and this is not unusual. Often you can have passed a stone and get the ct and thus the scan is negative. The key in stones is prevention and urine metabolic work up is needed. Contact a kidney doc. Best of luck

Question 8

chance that 4 ct scans over 2 1/2 years would all miss sympotomatic colon cancer (narrow stool, occasion blood), also sigmoidscope to 35 cm.

Accepted Answer

Fairly high risk: CT scans are NOT good tools for looking inside the bowel. Endoscopy is the preferred tool, but a sigmoidoscopy, at its best, misses looking at half the colon. A look to merely 35 cm has missed about 85-90% of the colon. The usual method to evaluate the colon is a complete colonoscopy.

Question 9

bowel issues 3 years, 4 ct scans over that time with oral contrast, sigmoidoscopy to 35 cm, only diverticulosis seen, chances of missed cancer?

Accepted Answer

Slim: in spite of the low chance of missing a cancer, a complete colonoscopy would examine the rest of the colon not visualized on sigmoidoscopy. CT is only fair to see colon cancers unless large because stool may get in the way. If you are still concerned then talking to your doctor may resolve these issues.

Question 10

would symptomatic colon cancer be missed on 3 separate ct scans? i am only 37 but have had narrow stools and small amounts of blood for past  year.

Accepted Answer

Unlikely : Best test would be a colonoscopy for your symptoms or at least a sigmoidoscopy. Usually if a colon cancer had symptoms a year ago those symptoms would have progressed over the ensuing 12 months and by now it would have been obvious by your symptoms and ct scan.

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Can CT scans miss glioblastoma

A member asked:

I had two ct scans done recently. one without contrast and one with contrast. both came back normal. what are the chances of a tumor being missed?

A member asked:

Can 2 ct scans with contrasr miss anything wrong in the gi tract ?

A member asked:

Do ct scans with no contrast always miss tumors in the cerebellum?

A member asked:

How high would chances be that symptomatic colon or rectal cancer be missed on 3 separate ct scans? would this be very likely?

A member asked:

Can 2 ct scans with contrast miss anything wrong in the abdomen and pelvis?

A member asked:

I've had normal blood labs, multiple normal ultrasounds and ct scans of my right upper quadrant. what are odds they all miss liver damage?

A member asked:

How is it possible for ct scans to miss kidney stones? i continue to pass fragments but only have stones in my kidneys according to my ct scan in june

A member asked:

Chance that 4 ct scans over 2 1/2 years would all miss sympotomatic colon cancer (narrow stool, occasion blood), also sigmoidscope to 35 cm.

A member asked:

Bowel issues 3 years, 4 ct scans over that time with oral contrast, sigmoidoscopy to 35 cm, only diverticulosis seen, chances of missed cancer?

A member asked:

Would symptomatic colon cancer be missed on 3 separate ct scans? i am only 37 but have had narrow stools and small amounts of blood for past year.

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