Brief Answer: Require sputum examination,flexible bronchoscopy Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing on HCM. Findings are suggestive of granulomatous disease of lung which is a broad umbrella of various conditions.Various conditions( tuberculosis, cancer, fungal infection and sarcoidosis) which have equally common incidence mimic these findings in CT and diagnosis cannot be made only on these findings without further investigations. I were to do a simple sputum examination(for acid fast bacilli) to rule out tuberculosis in addition to sputum cytology (to rule out the rest) I were to do a flexible bronchoscopy which gives a clear cut diagnosis (as well to rule others) and start the treat accordingly. I would be glad to know some more information : Do you have difficulty in breathing, cough etc? If yes since how long? Do you have fever? Have you lost weight recently? Do you smoke? Lupus has been mentioned in medical history.May I know since how long have you been having lupus.May I know what treatment you have been taking. Waiting for your response,

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Brief Answer: Probably sarcoidosis.Advice bronchoscopy Detailed Answer: Many thanks for writing back. Average of 2 to 5 years(many a times as long as 10 years) of exposure to asbestos might be required for sarcoidosis.This is due to a chronic inflammation of lung tissue. I were to do related sputum tests, pulmonary function test & bronchoscopy first.Then would investigate based on these findings further. Hope this answers your query.

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