Moderate atherosclerotic calcification of the aorta and bilateral iliac vessels.

[theuniqueldy]

I have had severe back pain for 10 yrs and hip pain for last 3 yrs. Then 10/29 after 6 days of the worse pain ever when my BP & pulse rose I went to the ER. The ER concentrated on my back & hip pain. 2 weeks later I downloaded my test results & became concerned (5 months ago I had a angio w stenting for 80% right kidney blockage) when pelvis CD showed Moderate to advanced atherosclerotic calcification of the aorta and bilateral iliac vessels.  I faxed the results to my cardiologist saying "It would appear I have another blockage". I got a call the next day from his office saying they were sending CT results to my vascular surgeon but of course I have heard nothing from his office. Nevertheless, I am very concerned about these results. Do you believe I am unnecessarily being concerned?

[erijon]

Not at all, I think I would be concerned too if I read I have a moderate to severe atherosclerotic calcification of the aorta and bilateral iliac vessels, it's  mean you may not be getting enough oxygenated blood to your legs and organs. I know I would be all over both the doctor that ordered the test and your vascular surgeon, they owe you some answers.

Let us know how it works out and good luck............JON

[theuniqueldy]

Jon, TY for your reply (I KNEW I should be very concerned why I sent it to my cardiologist.)
I  faxed the vascular surgeon's office 25 mins. ago and questioned "Is it safe to assume he is not concerned about the CT results since I not heard back for a appointment. IF nothing by Mon. I will contact my old cardiologist who got me a vascular surgeon for my fem fem bypass 6 yrs ago.

[theuniqueldy]

Now I am perplexed. Since last post I have had 2 more ortho. x rays & they too mention the same findings. I wrote my cardiologist 2 days ago of my concern & just got a call from him. He said I had fem fem bypass 6 yrs. ago. In May '18 my scan showed some blockage & I had a angio w stent in June '18 and he does not think there is a need for concern cause w my Hx my test will 'always' show some calcification. I was SHOCKED! I told him this was the 1st time since May it has showed up on a test and never before now has any other test showed these finding. I also mentioned my left groin pain.  Mind you, my complaint of  R. groin pain is how 'he' found my blockage in May! I totally forgot to tell him I had gone back up to 200 mg. Toprol XL B.I.D (2 x day) because my heart rate & BP was elevated.

I see my Ortho. surgeon tomorrow and beside my spine, hip & groin pain I will address these atherosclerotic vascular calcification of abdominal aorta and iliac vessels findings on the 2 x rays he ordered in Nov. and the Oct. x ray from the ER.

[rainwatersarah]

Since this thread was started in 2018, and now  2022, what changes have occurred and what treatments have been used?

I am a 38yo/wh/f with a similar setup. I started having groin pain, severe at times, on my right side only, no hip, no thigh, only the crease of my leg  and straight through to the back side , almost as if you drew a straight line through me, lower back for lack of locational details,  I believe I once stated  like it the femoral artery area. After a few visits from ortho, dx was labrum tear, pain management- injections only, phy. Thera. - pulling and tugging on my legs like they were stretching me, I finally had an orthopedic doctor/ surgeon question the dx of torn labrum, and ordered a 3d CT w/ reconstruction of my pelvis and hips,  dx returning as possible CAM deformity, AND age advanced atherosclerosis of the bilateral iliac arteries. Which was directly in the aortic split. I am clogged up, there is little to no room left for blood flow, pcp said I was okay, Otho doc never mentioned it, but I happen to work out with a nurse who works in the cath lab and her bf is a cardiologist! Soo long story short, stop smoking, loose weight, exercise and take meds. No further treatment until my “bomb” goes off and I about die!!  This w as a year ago, 2021. He did run another test,  to check the blood flow which did show decreased flow to the right leg but nothing would be done including stents or ballooning until it reach 0.9 , I was just about 1.9 rt leg and 2.3 in the left leg. I do have random pains, in the rt leg, behind the knee and in varies spots on my calf but, not radiating. I have since learned I received every bad gene my family could have passed on, lucky me right!! I’ve had high triglycerides (940) and high bp (130/90) for about 4-5 yrs now , treated with meds(when I can remember to take them).  My maternal grandfather has his first HA at 37, but didn’t know about it until his second at the age of 40, he did pass of a Massive HA at 56 years of age.  2nd option receive from 2nd cardiologist , she would confirm with a second full body CT with contrast,  she would then described me as a walking bomb. No massages, no jacuzzi, and no chiropractor. So at any point and time I could throw a clot. But as for the pain I received an injection from a fellow orthopedic doc (2nd doc) with ultrasound guided injections which would leave to pain relief when no one else could, using the injections.  Needless to say I have not quit smoking as I don’t want to be laying on my death bed wishing I had a cigarette, stupid I know but is it really? And I will see the cardiologist if something happens or for just a 1 yr fu. Good luck in you treatments and I’m curious to hear the rest of your story!!