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What Do These X-ray Findings Indicate?
Question: Last week, I went to see a doctor because I felt anxious, but doctor went me to do chest x ray
I had a little cough with some mucous which has been a while and get better already.
I had no fever ( I had no fever for over 30 years)
Doctor treated me as pneumonia, take antibiotics for 5 days then do x ray again
Here is the results:
Cardiomediastinal silhouette is normal. Minimal increased lung
markings noted in both lower lobes which could be related to
subtle atelectasis especially in right lower lobe. Subtle
infiltrate can't entirely exclude. Lungs are otherwise clear
without pulmonary edema, focal consolidation, or pleural effusion.
No pneumothorax.
** IMPRESSION **:
Minimal increased lung markings noted in both lower lobes which
could be related to subtle atelectasis especially in right lower
lobe. Subtle infiltrate can't entirely exclude.
My question: I believe I do not have pneumonia, but what caused atelectasis?
One doctor on line said because I did not hold the breath enough.
I am over panic, I check on line : http://lungcancer.about.com/od/Respiratory-Symptoms/a/Atelectasis.htm
It is possible my atelectasis is broncioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) related? sorry?
I had a little cough with some mucous which has been a while and get better already.
I had no fever ( I had no fever for over 30 years)
Doctor treated me as pneumonia, take antibiotics for 5 days then do x ray again
Here is the results:
Cardiomediastinal silhouette is normal. Minimal increased lung
markings noted in both lower lobes which could be related to
subtle atelectasis especially in right lower lobe. Subtle
infiltrate can't entirely exclude. Lungs are otherwise clear
without pulmonary edema, focal consolidation, or pleural effusion.
No pneumothorax.
** IMPRESSION **:
Minimal increased lung markings noted in both lower lobes which
could be related to subtle atelectasis especially in right lower
lobe. Subtle infiltrate can't entirely exclude.
My question: I believe I do not have pneumonia, but what caused atelectasis?
One doctor on line said because I did not hold the breath enough.
I am over panic, I check on line : http://lungcancer.about.com/od/Respiratory-Symptoms/a/Atelectasis.htm
It is possible my atelectasis is broncioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) related? sorry?
Brief Answer:
Atelectesis means partial collapse of part of lung.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
First of all let me explain you the meaning of atelectesis.
Atelectesis is partial collapse of part. The most common cause for this is infection. Infection in airways causes edema, inflammation and mucus (secretions) production.
These secretions if in large amount and thick can actually obstruct the lumen and hamper movement of air.
So the part of lung becomes airless and get collapsed. It is not permanent collapse. It is partial collapse.
With removal of secretions, reduction in edema and inflammation, atelectesis can be reverted back to normal.
So most common cause for this is acute infection.
Other common causes are bronchitis, smoking etc.
Bronchoalveolar carcinoma(BAC) can cause similar kind of x ray picture but it is very very rare. So possibility of BAC is unlikely in your case.
In my opinion, you should take mucolytic, expectorant and antioxidant drug along with antibiotics. NAC (N acetyl cysteine) is having all these properties. It will dilute your secretions and make them easy for expectoration.
Since it is prescribed medicine, you need to have doctor's prescription for it.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Atelectesis means partial collapse of part of lung.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
First of all let me explain you the meaning of atelectesis.
Atelectesis is partial collapse of part. The most common cause for this is infection. Infection in airways causes edema, inflammation and mucus (secretions) production.
These secretions if in large amount and thick can actually obstruct the lumen and hamper movement of air.
So the part of lung becomes airless and get collapsed. It is not permanent collapse. It is partial collapse.
With removal of secretions, reduction in edema and inflammation, atelectesis can be reverted back to normal.
So most common cause for this is acute infection.
Other common causes are bronchitis, smoking etc.
Bronchoalveolar carcinoma(BAC) can cause similar kind of x ray picture but it is very very rare. So possibility of BAC is unlikely in your case.
In my opinion, you should take mucolytic, expectorant and antioxidant drug along with antibiotics. NAC (N acetyl cysteine) is having all these properties. It will dilute your secretions and make them easy for expectoration.
Since it is prescribed medicine, you need to have doctor's prescription for it.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Even have no fever can be an infection? Actually, after I took the antibiotic first two days my mucus suddenly increased, then getting less, do you think this should be good?
Thank you for your answer. So far , I am happy with your answer, because I had cough with mucus a while but I did not pay much attention. Then I felt cough less till I took the x ray by accident. ( I would say that). Maybe the mucus had been there for while and get thicker ?
Looks like my doctor said I may have pneumonia was wrong.
I appreciate if you can answer my those questions.
Thank you for your answer. So far , I am happy with your answer, because I had cough with mucus a while but I did not pay much attention. Then I felt cough less till I took the x ray by accident. ( I would say that). Maybe the mucus had been there for while and get thicker ?
Looks like my doctor said I may have pneumonia was wrong.
I appreciate if you can answer my those questions.
Brief Answer:
Yes, it is still possible to have infection without fever.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, fever can be absent in infection.
Usually fever is there but if infection is mild then fever is not seen.
With effective antibiotics, mucus can be thinned out. So patient may have false belief that his mucus is increasing but actually he is improving.
And yes, without treatment, your mucus must have got thicker and caused obstruction and atelectesis.
But after antibiotics, mucus is thinned and now you are having less mucus.
So all these are good for you.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on XXXX
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes, it is still possible to have infection without fever.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, fever can be absent in infection.
Usually fever is there but if infection is mild then fever is not seen.
With effective antibiotics, mucus can be thinned out. So patient may have false belief that his mucus is increasing but actually he is improving.
And yes, without treatment, your mucus must have got thicker and caused obstruction and atelectesis.
But after antibiotics, mucus is thinned and now you are having less mucus.
So all these are good for you.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on XXXX
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much. You really released me a lot. I really thought I may have cancer because my doctor did not explain me well.
I will do another x ray in three weeks. I may need to contact you again. Please tell me how to directly contact you ? bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar? what is this? I just want to make sure I can directly ask you instead of other doctor. because so far you are the best.
Once I know how to directly ask your question, I will close the discussion and will give you a great review
Li
I will do another x ray in three weeks. I may need to contact you again. Please tell me how to directly contact you ? bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar? what is this? I just want to make sure I can directly ask you instead of other doctor. because so far you are the best.
Once I know how to directly ask your question, I will close the discussion and will give you a great review
Li
Brief Answer:
Thanks for your kind words.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern. Thanks a lot for your kind words. It's always encouraging for doctors to hear positive feedback from patients.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
It is my direct link. By clicking this link, you will be able to ask me directly. Your question is answerable to me only, no other doctor will able to answer it.
And yes, I would love to hear your progress. It will be my privilege.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Thanks for your kind words.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern. Thanks a lot for your kind words. It's always encouraging for doctors to hear positive feedback from patients.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
It is my direct link. By clicking this link, you will be able to ask me directly. Your question is answerable to me only, no other doctor will able to answer it.
And yes, I would love to hear your progress. It will be my privilege.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I still do not know how to and where to click on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar, same web site?
By the way, I already gave you very good review
XXXX
By the way, I already gave you very good review
XXXX
Brief Answer:
I forget to ask you two important things.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar through your browser.
You can also ask on the website, by searching my name (Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar) in pulmonologist speciality and then click on ask this doctor directly.
In between, I forgot to ask you two important things regarding your symptoms.
1. Are you smoker? If no then do you have chronic exposure to secondary smoke or pollution or chemicals?
2. Do you have weight loss?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
I forget to ask you two important things.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar through your browser.
You can also ask on the website, by searching my name (Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar) in pulmonologist speciality and then click on ask this doctor directly.
In between, I forgot to ask you two important things regarding your symptoms.
1. Are you smoker? If no then do you have chronic exposure to secondary smoke or pollution or chemicals?
2. Do you have weight loss?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No, i never be a smoker, and I never exposure to secondary smoke or pollution
I am very healthy, even last weekend, after x ray, I still did a very hard hiking. But when I got the x ray results from my doctor, I was shock, I had a anxiety symptom due to high pressure job and some personal life reasons . The uncertain answer from my doctor made me worry: she said because I did not have fever that is why need to be more serious. Those days, I feel less appetites : ate less, may lose a little weight but I am sure I did not lose a lot weight.
All I need is how to overcome my fear and anxiety.
I am very healthy, even last weekend, after x ray, I still did a very hard hiking. But when I got the x ray results from my doctor, I was shock, I had a anxiety symptom due to high pressure job and some personal life reasons . The uncertain answer from my doctor made me worry: she said because I did not have fever that is why need to be more serious. Those days, I feel less appetites : ate less, may lose a little weight but I am sure I did not lose a lot weight.
All I need is how to overcome my fear and anxiety.
Brief Answer:
No need to worry much for this.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry much for this. And you are not having any risk factor for major illness because you are non smoker, healthy and not having any bad exposure . So avoid stress and tension, be relax and calm.
Don't worry, you will definitely improve.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on XXXX
Wish you good health. Thanks.
No need to worry much for this.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
No need to worry much for this. And you are not having any risk factor for major illness because you are non smoker, healthy and not having any bad exposure . So avoid stress and tension, be relax and calm.
Don't worry, you will definitely improve.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on XXXX
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Last question: Do you agree with another doctor, he said I did not hold my breath enough so that there is subtle atelectasis .
Brief Answer:
I am not getting you.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
I am not getting you what exactly you want to ask.
What is the need of holding breath?
Please explain with somewhat details about this,so that I can understand your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
I am not getting you.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
I am not getting you what exactly you want to ask.
What is the need of holding breath?
Please explain with somewhat details about this,so that I can understand your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The doctor said subtle atelectasis on my x ray results is because when I was taking X ray, I did not hold my breath enough, he said atelectasis is most commonly caused on chest xray by not taking a deep enough breath, which means I did not have pneumonia or real atelectasis --- XXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes, this is true.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Ideally chest x ray should be taken at the end of deep inspiration with holding breath.
This manuere gives exact idea about lung condition.
So doctor was right about this.
During expiration, lung volume is decreasing and this may give rise to false atelectesis.
So if chest x ray is taken in expiration, it may give rise to false atelectesis.
But since you are symptomatic (cough and mucus), possibility of false atelectesis is low.
And you are improving with antibiotics too.
So possibility of infection as a cause is high in your case. But x ray taken without deep breathing or holding breath or taken in expiration can cause false atelectesis.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Yes, this is true.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Ideally chest x ray should be taken at the end of deep inspiration with holding breath.
This manuere gives exact idea about lung condition.
So doctor was right about this.
During expiration, lung volume is decreasing and this may give rise to false atelectesis.
So if chest x ray is taken in expiration, it may give rise to false atelectesis.
But since you are symptomatic (cough and mucus), possibility of false atelectesis is low.
And you are improving with antibiotics too.
So possibility of infection as a cause is high in your case. But x ray taken without deep breathing or holding breath or taken in expiration can cause false atelectesis.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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