Some obese patients too heavy for post-surgery imaging

Seriously obese patients who have complications after undergoing weight-loss surgery may be too heavy for imaging equipment, according to a study being presented by Boston researchers at a radiology meeting today.

More than a quarter of patients who weighed more than 450 pounds and needed imaging to diagnose a problem after gastric-bypass surgery could not get CT scans because their weight exceeded the capacity of the scanner’s table, according to Dr. Raul N. Uppot and his radiology colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Uppot and his co-authors reviewed the records of 1,188 patients at Mass. General who had gastric bypass operations between 1999 and 2007. They found that 44 patients weighed more than 450 pounds. Of that group, 12 patients had symptoms for which CT scans were required, but not possible, the researchers said. Four of them had repeat surgery to investigate suspected leaks from suturing involved in reducing the size of the stomach and bypassing part of the small intestine. Others had ultrasound, a barium swallow test or exploratory surgery rather than CT scans after they reported pain or other symptoms.

The researchers conclude that CT weight limits need to be increased for gastric-bypass patients.

Papers presented at the meeting have not been peer-reviewed. Co-author Dr. Dushyant Sahani disclosed a relationship with General Electric Co., which makes scanners, and co-author Dr. Debra Gervais disclosed ties to Tyco Healthcare, according to an abstract of the presentation.