question for ER nurses

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I'm not an ER nurse so I have a question for you....

I went to an ER for severe abd pain

They did an US and told me I had ovarian cysts and sent me on my way.

I followed up to my OB as instructed where she reviewed my us results and said it was normal. I have no cysts...then pcp reviewed us and again..determined no cysts. Both dr were surprised they diagnosed me with cysts from a normal US and we're wondering why no other scans were done.

if us is normal and patient has abd pain do they usually order a ct after?

I eventually had to get a CT outpatient.

thanks.

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Not everyone with abdominal pain gets a CT scan. It depends on labs, physical exam (tenderness), other symptoms, etc. I'm not giving medical advice, just speaking generally. The ED rules out and treats life-threatening illness and injury, we often discharge people without finding the cause for abdominal or chest pain, etc to follow up with their regular doctors. Additional testing if warranted can be scheduled on an outpatient basis.

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thanks. I was just hung up on the fact that I was told cysts, when us was normal. Thanks for input

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

We are not allowed to give advise on here! Please talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns!

Annie

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oh I did. I have my results...I was wondering more about protocols and such.....not medical advise. but thanks. ...will try to delete

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Often, if the cyst has ruptured and symptoms have resolved, there isn't much to see on an U/S. Maybe a bit of free fluid, but perhaps not depending on size.

Just because your U/S was normal doesn't necessarily mean you didn't have a ruptured cyst.

Speaking from experience.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We wish you the best and hope you are feeling better.

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