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What Do These Following X-ray And Chest CT Scan Reports Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2016
Question: HI - I have recently have done check X-ray and CT chest scan because I have this cough that I cannot get rid of, it is dry cough. Also medium chest pain probably out of all the cough? I have attached the reports. The xray is normal stating that lungs are clear and there is NO pleural effusions, however to my XXXXXXX the CT scan is showing trace bilateral pleural effusions ( which the doctor at hospital said are very small) since they are not showing up on the x-ray. Please see the reports. They prescribed antibiotics ( Laquatin) and said we will treat as infection but you need to go see pulmonologist to have it tested to make sure what kind of fluid it is since ti can be benign or malignant and that is where she really scared me. I have dome some reading and my understanding is that if these fluids are malignant it is most likely because other cancers in body spreads - usually it is not primary cancer, so which made me even more scared. So my question is, should I be worried? what are the chances that I would have such advance cancer in my body that moved to lung area without knowing about it and all my blood work looks fine like the total blood count ect ( also attached). Am I reading too much into this small pleural effusion that has not even showed up on x-ray. Could this be just beginning of something serious? Should I go see pulmonologist to have it tested or am I just dealing with infection? I know this sometimes is caused by heart problems but I have been recently evaluated by cardiologist for heart palpitations ( had echo and holter) and been diagnosed with PVC's and PAC's so that will not be the case I guess. Also just FYI I had C-section surgery Janaury 29 this year so maybe there is connection? Thank you
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Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get done serum protein level to rule out hypoproteinemia.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the reports you have attached.

Answer to your 1st question.

No need to worry much for this minimal bilateral pleural effusion. Possibility of malignant pleural effusion is very very rare. So don't worry about cancer elsewhere in the body.

Answer to your 2nd question.

Yes, you are over thinking about this small pleural effusion. I don't think it is beginning of some serious illness.

Answer to your 3rd question.

Yes, you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done serum protein level to rule out hypoproteinemia as this can also cause bilateral pleural effusion.

Answer to your 4th question.

No need to worry for heart diseases as your blood reports and 2d echo, Holter are negative.

Answer to your 5th question.

I don't find any connection between cesarean section and bilateral mild pleural effusion.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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What Do These Following X-ray And Chest CT Scan Reports Indicate?

Brief Answer: Get done serum protein level to rule out hypoproteinemia. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. I have gone through the reports you have attached. Answer to your 1st question. No need to worry much for this minimal bilateral pleural effusion. Possibility of malignant pleural effusion is very very rare. So don't worry about cancer elsewhere in the body. Answer to your 2nd question. Yes, you are over thinking about this small pleural effusion. I don't think it is beginning of some serious illness. Answer to your 3rd question. Yes, you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done serum protein level to rule out hypoproteinemia as this can also cause bilateral pleural effusion. Answer to your 4th question. No need to worry for heart diseases as your blood reports and 2d echo, Holter are negative. Answer to your 5th question. I don't find any connection between cesarean section and bilateral mild pleural effusion. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.