Carotid Ultrasound

[HiCaliber]

Had a carotid ultrasound recently that I really didn't need. I have a mild heart murmur that comes and goes and under stress can make sounds in other parts of my body. The doctor ordered it anyway.

The tech pressed down so hard on the left side that she actually hurt my neck, causes pressure in my ear that lasted several days, and caused tingling in my left cheek. I was shocked over something that was supposed to be completely pain free. I feel that she could have caused a stroke or something serious. The report indicates no disease in the carotid but I was lightheaded and uncomfortable.

How many people have been injured from this test? I think I need to make a formal written complaint.

[glennette]

I recently had an ultrasound that caused pain, too. But not of the cartoid, mine was of the kidneys, liver, and pancrease. Happens that I have a large simple cyst in my kindney, a polyp on my pancrease and something on the liver (forgot what the Dr. said, but it wasn't important anyway).

It seemed that the tech. was pressing unduly hard during the exam (since I've had a few ultrasounds before with no pain) but after I talked to the Dr. I'm sure that it was just because of the aformentioned growths. I did have to take a pain pill (otc) right aferward bc the pain continued for quite a while afterwards.

I used to work for a well known ultrasound developer & mfger and they had young women who are used exclusively for testing the machines. No one, to my knowledge, was ever hurt even in the slightest during the proceedure so I was really surprised when when it happend to me.

I hope you are feeling better and that the test brought only good news.

[ultradix]

I think you may try to see this one for some great information about carotid ultrasound, http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=us-carotid hope this may help you a little about carotid ultrasound...


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Ultrasound Repair (http://www.axessultrasound.com)

[HiCaliber]

:)Thx. I had read about ultrasound before so knew in a very general way what it was about. Also I'd had abdominal and heart ultrasounds.
The tech, when I complained, mumbled something about some structures being in a different place than expected and hard to find. I think the truth is, she was incompetent. :(

I did go ahead and write a letter to the radiology department although I never heard anything back. This was in a medical school. Also, I noticed a few weeks ago that the doctor professor who ordered it is leaving the medical school. He wrote up a report on my visit that made several claims of tests he had not run. :eek:

Basically, I think that the next time something really hurts that shouldn't that I will raise havoc and stop the test and write a letter of complaint ... quite likely including the joint commission. This only goes on when it's allowed to go on.