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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chest Discomfort?

My mother had an X-ray on her chest her dr said it was fuzzy. She had not smoke for at least 28 to 30 years. She has had a couple of chest X-rays before and came back fine. She has had bronchitis twice in the past 2 months. Now her dr wants her to get a cat scan. What could this be.
Tue, 13 Jun 2017
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hello,

You have mentioned that she had bronchitis twice in past 2 months with a fuzzy chest x-ray. It would have been useful if you have mentioned her age, history of weight loss, loss of appetite, whether she is having continuous cough after the episode of bronchitis, there is blood in sputum, she is diabetic, and there is loss of energy.

For older females with recurrent bronchitis and history of smoking it is always useful to have a CT of chest to rule out any mass lesions causing the recurrent discomfort. To be on safer side it is always best to rule out the worst like a carcinoma of lung. Older females with history of smoking can develop bronchiectasis (abnormal dilatation of bronchi) which can predispose to recurrent chest infections. This can also be made out from a CT chest.

Older people are also prone for recurrent pneumonias if there is associated diabetes or a weak immune system. The fuzzy x-ray can be due to all these causes. There are lots of more other rare causes as well. So it is always better to have a clearer view of your chest through a CT chest and be on a safer side by ruling out dangerous causes.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Meera Rajeev
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What Causes Chest Discomfort?

Hello, You have mentioned that she had bronchitis twice in past 2 months with a fuzzy chest x-ray. It would have been useful if you have mentioned her age, history of weight loss, loss of appetite, whether she is having continuous cough after the episode of bronchitis, there is blood in sputum, she is diabetic, and there is loss of energy. For older females with recurrent bronchitis and history of smoking it is always useful to have a CT of chest to rule out any mass lesions causing the recurrent discomfort. To be on safer side it is always best to rule out the worst like a carcinoma of lung. Older females with history of smoking can develop bronchiectasis (abnormal dilatation of bronchi) which can predispose to recurrent chest infections. This can also be made out from a CT chest. Older people are also prone for recurrent pneumonias if there is associated diabetes or a weak immune system. The fuzzy x-ray can be due to all these causes. There are lots of more other rare causes as well. So it is always better to have a clearer view of your chest through a CT chest and be on a safer side by ruling out dangerous causes. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Meera Rajeev