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What Does This Chest CT Scan Report Indicate?
Question: My recent chest CT showed "There are mild coronary artery calcifications. There is a small amount of pericardial fluid anteriorly." Is there anything that is a major concern? Is there a way to alleviate and improve both items. And to avoid them in the future? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that these CT scan finding don't have any clinical significance.
They are not indicative of any serious medical condition.
I would like to know your complaints. Do you have any chest pain or shortness of breath?
The small amount of pericardial fluid could be related to inflammation.
Coming to this point, I would just recommend follow up with a cardiac ultrasound after 3 - 6 months to monitor your cardiac situation.
Hope to have been helpful!
I remain at your disposal, whenever you have any other questions.
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that these CT scan finding don't have any clinical significance.
They are not indicative of any serious medical condition.
I would like to know your complaints. Do you have any chest pain or shortness of breath?
The small amount of pericardial fluid could be related to inflammation.
Coming to this point, I would just recommend follow up with a cardiac ultrasound after 3 - 6 months to monitor your cardiac situation.
Hope to have been helpful!
I remain at your disposal, whenever you have any other questions.
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I just made an appointment with a cardiologist for November.
It's funny you should ask about chest pain and shortness of breath. The answer is I do. But the same chest CT showed mild bilateral bronchietasis, so I thought the pain and SOB were due to that. You bring up an interesting point, maybe it's not the bronchietasis. The chest pain and SOB do keep me from sleeping.
Is there anything I can do to lessen the fluid and calcification?
It's funny you should ask about chest pain and shortness of breath. The answer is I do. But the same chest CT showed mild bilateral bronchietasis, so I thought the pain and SOB were due to that. You bring up an interesting point, maybe it's not the bronchietasis. The chest pain and SOB do keep me from sleeping.
Is there anything I can do to lessen the fluid and calcification?
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding the pericardial fluid, you should know that such small amount of fluid has no clinical significance and it is not a matter of concern.
In order to precisely explore the extent and the amount of pericardial fluid, the medical test of choice is the cardiac ultrasound.
Regarding the mild coronary calcifications, they don't seem to be important. But coming to this point, I would explain that any potential clinical significance of coronary calcifications couldn't be achieved with a general chest CT scan.
A coronary angio CT scan or a nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test would be required instead.
Nevertheless, before arriving to such clinical decisions, it is necessary to explore:
- the clinical nature of your chest pain (exact chest feeling like chest pressure or compression, stubbing, squeezing, etc., duration of pain, irradiation, triggering factors, like coughing, inspiration or physical activity etc..)
- your ECG
- a cardiac stress test
- cardiac enzymes.
To conclude, I would say that in front of chest pain the more rational suspicions are raised towards a cardiac issue, you should know that the majority of chest pains are not cardiac related.
So, the alternative of bronchectasy or even pericarditis could be an option too, as a possible main cause underlying your complaints.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Regarding the pericardial fluid, you should know that such small amount of fluid has no clinical significance and it is not a matter of concern.
In order to precisely explore the extent and the amount of pericardial fluid, the medical test of choice is the cardiac ultrasound.
Regarding the mild coronary calcifications, they don't seem to be important. But coming to this point, I would explain that any potential clinical significance of coronary calcifications couldn't be achieved with a general chest CT scan.
A coronary angio CT scan or a nuclear perfusional cardiac stress test would be required instead.
Nevertheless, before arriving to such clinical decisions, it is necessary to explore:
- the clinical nature of your chest pain (exact chest feeling like chest pressure or compression, stubbing, squeezing, etc., duration of pain, irradiation, triggering factors, like coughing, inspiration or physical activity etc..)
- your ECG
- a cardiac stress test
- cardiac enzymes.
To conclude, I would say that in front of chest pain the more rational suspicions are raised towards a cardiac issue, you should know that the majority of chest pains are not cardiac related.
So, the alternative of bronchectasy or even pericarditis could be an option too, as a possible main cause underlying your complaints.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Wishing good health,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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