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How Does CT Scan Help In Detecting Pneumonia?
My 31 year old daughter had pneumonia this past January, only to be diagnosed today, August, with pneumonia. They are unsure if the pneumonia was cured then, seeing her xrays show the same areas, less severe,affected. She will be scheduled for a CT scan. What will they be looking for? She was diagnosed with asthma as a child but doesn t take any specific meds for it. She has always lived with the knowledge that her lungs as efficient as they should be. Any thoughts?
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
It is always better to confirm a doubtful diagnosis by doing CT scan. A pneumonia 7 months back and recurring, needs detailed evaluation. In X ray we see only two dimensions while in CT scan we get clear details in 3 dimensions. Pneumonia and related conditions are difficult to evaluate only by X ray. As you have mentioned asthma, this can cause certain other changes which can make the patient more predisposed to pneumonia.
Thanks for writing in.
It is always better to confirm a doubtful diagnosis by doing CT scan. A pneumonia 7 months back and recurring, needs detailed evaluation. In X ray we see only two dimensions while in CT scan we get clear details in 3 dimensions. Pneumonia and related conditions are difficult to evaluate only by X ray. As you have mentioned asthma, this can cause certain other changes which can make the patient more predisposed to pneumonia.
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