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What Do My X-ray Test Results Indicate?
Question: My wife had a 1/2 lung removal in April, due to cancer. Since that time, she has developed occasional breathing problems, that some doctors are diagnosing as Asma, some aren't. She has periods where she can't catch her breath, then states to hyperventilate. We've been to the ER several times, and we feel as if they are telling us she's simply over reacting, and over anxious. X-rays show that the diaphragm is higher on the cancerous side, and is pushing up on the lung. I do not believe that she is simply "anxious", and her symptoms are indicating a more serious problem, which could be damage to the phrenic nerve. Like I said, I'm no M.D., her cancer doctor is adamant that the phrenic nerve wasn't damaged during the operation. If the nerve isn't damaged, is this simply the "new normal" for us?
Brief Answer:
need to check the lung functions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
As she is having trouble breathing after lobectomy, we need to find out the cause. First would be checking the lung functions to find out if the surgery has compromised the lung function too much.
Because of removal of part lung, diaphragm will be lying bit higher on that side. If we need to rule out phrenic nerve damage, we need to do a fluoroscopic exam of the diaphragmatic movements during respiration. If movement is normal, then there is no phrenic nerve palsy.
After above, we would come to know if there is any reversible component or not.
Hope this helps.
Regards
need to check the lung functions
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
As she is having trouble breathing after lobectomy, we need to find out the cause. First would be checking the lung functions to find out if the surgery has compromised the lung function too much.
Because of removal of part lung, diaphragm will be lying bit higher on that side. If we need to rule out phrenic nerve damage, we need to do a fluoroscopic exam of the diaphragmatic movements during respiration. If movement is normal, then there is no phrenic nerve palsy.
After above, we would come to know if there is any reversible component or not.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Gosh,
Thank you for your timely response. My wife is now scheduled for a "sniff test" on Sept. 6 to determine if the nerve has been paralyzed.
Thank you for your time and information.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX McClure
Thank you for your timely response. My wife is now scheduled for a "sniff test" on Sept. 6 to determine if the nerve has been paralyzed.
Thank you for your time and information.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX McClure
Brief Answer:
Yes that should work
Detailed Answer:
it is good that she has been planned for the test. It would let us know if the diaphragm is working fine or not.
Yes that should work
Detailed Answer:
it is good that she has been planned for the test. It would let us know if the diaphragm is working fine or not.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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