Question about Dye Study for port placement

DonnaNY · 09-27-2008, 12:40 AM

Hi all, I have a question for my mom. Her port was put in back in late 2002,or early 2003. She has had really no problems with it. last couple of treatments the nurse is having trouble getting blood out of it, she has to put some kind of medicine in it to get the blood to return . So the Onc want my mom to go for a Dye study. Just wondering if anyone has had this test, and what the test is like. Is it painful ? any advice or info is welcomed. what exactly is the Dr looking for with this test anyway?? Thanks again ! God Bless !

With Love , Donna

DanaRT · 09-27-2008, 07:12 AM

I don't know much about this.
Bumping it up for you.
Ummm, wonder if the dye study is to see why the port isn't functioning as it should?

Stephanie B. · 09-27-2008, 01:02 PM

I had to have this done on two different ports. All they do is insert a dye into the port to see where the clog is. They use an xray type camera to see where the dye is going and where it stops to see where/if there is blockage. It doesn't hurt at all. They insert the needle just like they do for chemo.

Stephanie B.

StephN · 09-27-2008, 01:33 PM

Your Mom's port probably has what they call an occlusion of fatty substance at the tip and it sort of acts like a little valve. Opening for infusions and closing for draws. That is what happened to me with my first port.

Nothing to a "dye study." You lie on the table in a 'gown' and the dye is injected into your port. There is a sort of "camera" called a flouroscope that is moved over your chest area and a monitor screen that you will probably be able to see. The doctor will be following the dye on the monitor and can discuss it with the patient.

You do not need any kind of premed or relaxant. At the end, just get up, get dressed, and off you go.

DonnaNY · 09-28-2008, 01:09 AM

Thank you all so much , it will be a great relief to my mom to hear it is not painful !

Donna