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What Does CT Scan Of Lung Showing Old Spot Indicate?
Question: Just found out last week that my follow-up CT scan of the lung showed my old spot that they thought was part of some breathing and respiratory infection last winter was still there and in addition they found a new spot as well. See pulmonary dr tomorrow. he says they are referring to these areas as ground glass in the lung. Is this something serious or could be serious? I'm confused as I had a lot of trouble. My lung dr was totally shocked to see that on the CT scan as he expected the scan to be clear.
Brief Answer:
ILD needs to be ruled out in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
It`s not clear from your description, if the CT finding is a spot or areas/patches of ground glass opacity.
Do you have any symptoms of breathlessness or shortness of breath? Ground glass opacity may mean that it could be ILD. In layman`s terminology, your lungs are nor expanding fully while breathing or they are shrinking.
You need to undergo a complete lung check up which should also include a PFT, diffusion studies and bronchoscopy where some fluid and tissues are taken from the lungs and tested beside the routine tests..
ILD needs to be ruled out in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
It`s not clear from your description, if the CT finding is a spot or areas/patches of ground glass opacity.
Do you have any symptoms of breathlessness or shortness of breath? Ground glass opacity may mean that it could be ILD. In layman`s terminology, your lungs are nor expanding fully while breathing or they are shrinking.
You need to undergo a complete lung check up which should also include a PFT, diffusion studies and bronchoscopy where some fluid and tissues are taken from the lungs and tested beside the routine tests..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I gained a lot of weight from alla the steroids that the drs put me on last winter. Started at end of Sept with a respiratory infection, then wasn't getting better and I have a history of chronic bronchitis through the years. My primary dr couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting better so From Sept to November, I was on prednisone a lot and heavy amounts, then finally decreased over time, 3 inhalers, then added singular, never better, then finally went out on DB, was referred to pulmonary in Mid-Nov after 3 rounds of different antibiotics, had PFT no signs of Asthma or COPD (but was on lots of stuff in case of allergies, asthma, etc) - PFT was done in XXXXXXX lung dr heard some rattling, but I was starting to improve by the time he saw me. I went from doing OK to barely able to have energery/breath going from 1 room in my house to the other. I have had respiratory and bronchitis in the past and I told them, something isn't the same this time, because I was coughing a lot, so cough med with codeine, but work full-time and made me sleepy so went on DB for 4 weeks, that seem to help so I could focus on me. Breathing tests, PFT, even went to see an ENT, no one was ever able to figure out why the breathing issued happened and then it went away. I assumed by fatigue as I got better was due to my gaining so much weight during this time. Also, myu mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, so I been spending a lot of time with her in hospital, I just always assumed after I went back to work, my stress was related to my mom. Some days I just want to come home and sleep. Last nite for first time, I had an incident where it felt like someone stuck a pin in the top of my toe. I am out of breath a lot, but I'm out of shape as well. I see the pulmonary specialist tommorrow afternoon. He was very surprised that my test was not clear. Also, through our best doctor program where I work, they also felt that the spot earlier in the fall was related to respiratory infection. I never had anything like that before. I'm assuming that the Pulmonary dr will talk to me about it tomorrow afternoon. He told me he could explain better with the pictures. Also, could I have breathed wrong during the CT scan? Is it possible to be read wrong? I'm a 52, Female, non-smoker, last night was up all night and couldn't sleep. There are days where I feel once in a while, that i'm squeezed around my chest right below the breasts. I'm probably getting more concerned than I should be. Is this something that I should be concerned about?
Brief Answer:
Pl see a pulmonologist.
Detailed Answer:
Your description does suggest that you have some problem with your lungs. Since you have been given steroids so often, asthma may be a possibility. However, as said earlier, ILD has to be ruled out.
The weight gain could be because of steroids but thyroid should also be tested. You need a complete check up by a pulmonologist who should also test you for clots in the leg veins as it can go to your lung and cause symptoms. I say so because as per your own admission you have taken a lot of steroids, are overweight, having tightness of chest and have a spot in CT of lung.
It`s good that you are seeing a pulmonologist who I`m sure will look into all the aspects.
Pl see a pulmonologist.
Detailed Answer:
Your description does suggest that you have some problem with your lungs. Since you have been given steroids so often, asthma may be a possibility. However, as said earlier, ILD has to be ruled out.
The weight gain could be because of steroids but thyroid should also be tested. You need a complete check up by a pulmonologist who should also test you for clots in the leg veins as it can go to your lung and cause symptoms. I say so because as per your own admission you have taken a lot of steroids, are overweight, having tightness of chest and have a spot in CT of lung.
It`s good that you are seeing a pulmonologist who I`m sure will look into all the aspects.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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