HomeAnswersNeurologyaortic arch calcificationIs my ascending aorta hardened plaque causing my belly pain?

Do having calcified deposits in the descending aorta cause lower abdominal pain?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At October 8, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 10, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Recently I have had aphasia, bradykinesia, severe headache, dizziness, balance issues, nausea, and lower abdominal pain. I have atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and moderate plaque deposits in the right coronary artery. Please review my PET and CT scan reports. It seems I have significant calcified plaque in my descending aorta. Do you think this could be the reason for my lower abdominal pain? Can you tell me if there are any signs of stenosis or plaque deposits in my carotid or vertebral arteries?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I cannot say much about your carotid and vertebral arteries from your PET (positron emission tomography) scan report. So I suggest you to undergo a doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries and also the blood flow in them. Also, I suggest performing a brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to examine the brain structure for possible vascular lesions.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I have shared PET and CT scan reports. In addition, I have shared pictures of files showing plaque calcification of the descending aorta. Is this finding significant enough to cause lower abdominal pain?

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I reviewed your PET scan reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) and did not see any plaque calcification on the carotid and vertebral arteries in these images. Therefore, the abdominal pain is not related to the calcifications in the descending aorta. I suggest further investigations to find the cause of your abdominal pain. Undergo kidney and liver function tests, an abdominal ultrasound, urine analysis, and stool analysis for fungal infection.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Aida Abaz Quka
Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Neurology

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