What Do These X-ray Findings Indicate?
Question: Hi my question is for a radiologist. I had a chest X-ray when had acute bronchitis infection. The radiologist report stated - Cardiomediadtinal contour is within normal limits. Coursened lung markings and mild peribronchial thickening. No focal consolidation or lesion radio graphically. The pleural spaces are clear. Features of airway inflammation.
My GP just said confirms fluid due to infection which has now cleared.
I would just like your opinion to advise if this is typical for acute bronchitis and doesn't show anything else.
My GP just said confirms fluid due to infection which has now cleared.
I would just like your opinion to advise if this is typical for acute bronchitis and doesn't show anything else.
Brief Answer:
Findings are typical of acute bronchitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Findings are typical of acute bronchitis.
Coarse/prominent broncho-vascular markings may be due to infection/inflammation.
Peribronchial thickening generally signifies bronchitis.
However,findings need clinical correlation.
Radiological findings lag behind clinical symptoms.It may take some time to reverse the findings.If inflammation is chronic then it may last longer.
Other findings are normal.
Cardiac size is within normal limit.
Pleural spaces are also normal,means there is no fluid collection.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Findings are typical of acute bronchitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Findings are typical of acute bronchitis.
Coarse/prominent broncho-vascular markings may be due to infection/inflammation.
Peribronchial thickening generally signifies bronchitis.
However,findings need clinical correlation.
Radiological findings lag behind clinical symptoms.It may take some time to reverse the findings.If inflammation is chronic then it may last longer.
Other findings are normal.
Cardiac size is within normal limit.
Pleural spaces are also normal,means there is no fluid collection.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My symptoms have gone but you are saying inflammation may appear longer than symptoms is that correct?
So no lung disease, tumors, emphysema or damaged alveoli?
Are the lungs normal size, not inflated and is diaphragm curved normal?
Please advise regarding my follow up question.
So no lung disease, tumors, emphysema or damaged alveoli?
Are the lungs normal size, not inflated and is diaphragm curved normal?
Please advise regarding my follow up question.
Brief Answer:
No,I didn't mean that inflammation may appear longer than symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
No,I didn't mean that inflammation may appear longer than symptoms.
Patient get relief only when inflammation is subsided.
I mean to say that radiological appearance like prominent bronchovascular markings etc in X-ray may last for some more time even when patient is recovered.
X-ray findings take time to become normal and it lag behind symptoms.
Don't worry at all.It is good that you have recovered form illness.
Other findings related to lungs are fine.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
No,I didn't mean that inflammation may appear longer than symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
No,I didn't mean that inflammation may appear longer than symptoms.
Patient get relief only when inflammation is subsided.
I mean to say that radiological appearance like prominent bronchovascular markings etc in X-ray may last for some more time even when patient is recovered.
X-ray findings take time to become normal and it lag behind symptoms.
Don't worry at all.It is good that you have recovered form illness.
Other findings related to lungs are fine.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Normally my previous X-rays stated no lung disease present but this one didn't. Hence I am checking with you. So going by the report I sent if there was emphysema, tumors, damage to lung air sacks or any deformity with my lungs the radiologist would definitely be able see it on X-ray even if minor
Brief Answer:
Most likely you are fine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Your chest X-ray findings doesn't indicate any emphysema,tumors,deformity etc.
Most likely you are fine.Radiologists are expected to detect such findings.
Minor emphysema etc may be missed in chest X-ray.Patient may need HRCT(High resolution CT Scan)for confirming such conditions.These tests are advised only after proper clinical examination.
I don't think you need any further investigations.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Most likely you are fine.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Your chest X-ray findings doesn't indicate any emphysema,tumors,deformity etc.
Most likely you are fine.Radiologists are expected to detect such findings.
Minor emphysema etc may be missed in chest X-ray.Patient may need HRCT(High resolution CT Scan)for confirming such conditions.These tests are advised only after proper clinical examination.
I don't think you need any further investigations.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Further clinical examination meaning ?
I don't have any symptoms as such but wanted to be sure no disease.
To be sure would mild emphysema show inflammation like stated in my report or it shows something totally different even if minor
To add, no one actually suggested emphysema but I just like to cover all bases and want to know if emphysema causes inflammation or fluid in an X-ray or not. I would assume it would show damage to bronchi or something not fluid and inflammation? Please advise.
I don't have any symptoms as such but wanted to be sure no disease.
To be sure would mild emphysema show inflammation like stated in my report or it shows something totally different even if minor
To add, no one actually suggested emphysema but I just like to cover all bases and want to know if emphysema causes inflammation or fluid in an X-ray or not. I would assume it would show damage to bronchi or something not fluid and inflammation? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Clinical examination means findings elicited by a doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Clinical examination means findings elicited by a doctor.
Emphysema may be due to many causes like chronic smokers,alpha 1 anti trypsin deficiency,hereditary etc.
Pulmonary function test(PFT) can be done to assess condition of lungs.
As we discussed already,minor findings can be detected by HRCT.
But HRCT causes radiation exposure to the patients and it should be advised judiciously.
There is no fluid collection etc in X-rays.
You don't worry at all.You are most likely fine.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Clinical examination means findings elicited by a doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Clinical examination means findings elicited by a doctor.
Emphysema may be due to many causes like chronic smokers,alpha 1 anti trypsin deficiency,hereditary etc.
Pulmonary function test(PFT) can be done to assess condition of lungs.
As we discussed already,minor findings can be detected by HRCT.
But HRCT causes radiation exposure to the patients and it should be advised judiciously.
There is no fluid collection etc in X-rays.
You don't worry at all.You are most likely fine.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar