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What Does My CT Scan Test Report Indicate?
Question: Hi , I am a 54 year old female who quit smoking about 5yrs. ago. I do have high cholesterol and is on pravastain and Tri core. I do use a inhaler symbicort for exercise induced asthma. I had a cardiac score done last week and i showed I had emphysema. so I went for a CT of the lungs. the findings were
Again seen is a band of atelectasis versus parenchymal scarring within the lingula. This is unchanged. Diffuse emphysema. No lung mass or lung consolidation. No pulmonary Nodule.
Conclusion: 1. Plate-like atelectasis versus parenchymal scarring within the lingula.
2. Emphysema. No central endobronchial lesion
Can you tell me what this mean? Also I do not have any other medical issues No high blood pressure either
Again seen is a band of atelectasis versus parenchymal scarring within the lingula. This is unchanged. Diffuse emphysema. No lung mass or lung consolidation. No pulmonary Nodule.
Conclusion: 1. Plate-like atelectasis versus parenchymal scarring within the lingula.
2. Emphysema. No central endobronchial lesion
Can you tell me what this mean? Also I do not have any other medical issues No high blood pressure either
Brief Answer:
These are benign changes which might be relater to earlier smoking behavior
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There is a area in the left lung where there is a collapse of tiny air spaces and this is mentioned as plate like atelectasis. This is visualized as a thin band like feature in the left lung and this is likely to be due to a scar formation or a small area of sub segmental collapse in the lung. This appears to be a persistent change compared to a previous scan. This is a benign change and not a serious concern.
2. Emphysema is a pattern seen in small air spaces when the lung tissues lose their elasticity and are unable to demonstrate a normal level of expansion and contraction. This is followed by air trapping within small airways. This might be related to your smoking behavior. This is not a serious finding. However you have quit smoking 5 years back and this will prevent from more damage to the lungs.
3. There might be mild breathlessness due to the emphysema and you might continue symbicort for exercise induced asthma or breathlessness after doing heavy work.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
These are benign changes which might be relater to earlier smoking behavior
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. There is a area in the left lung where there is a collapse of tiny air spaces and this is mentioned as plate like atelectasis. This is visualized as a thin band like feature in the left lung and this is likely to be due to a scar formation or a small area of sub segmental collapse in the lung. This appears to be a persistent change compared to a previous scan. This is a benign change and not a serious concern.
2. Emphysema is a pattern seen in small air spaces when the lung tissues lose their elasticity and are unable to demonstrate a normal level of expansion and contraction. This is followed by air trapping within small airways. This might be related to your smoking behavior. This is not a serious finding. However you have quit smoking 5 years back and this will prevent from more damage to the lungs.
3. There might be mild breathlessness due to the emphysema and you might continue symbicort for exercise induced asthma or breathlessness after doing heavy work.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
do you think I need to go to a pulmonologist ?
Brief Answer:
You might visit the pulmonologist and get baseline lung function tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The situation is not serious unless you are having breathlessness or any symptoms of acute respiratory distress.
2. Consulting the pulmonologist is always an advantage. They might do your lung volumes and record the pulmonary function tests like forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity. This is called spirometry testing and will show if your lung expansion is significantly affected or not.
3. Going to the pulmonologist and getting the spirometery tests might serve as a baseline for subsequent development of any respiratory symptoms and lung changes.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
You might visit the pulmonologist and get baseline lung function tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. The situation is not serious unless you are having breathlessness or any symptoms of acute respiratory distress.
2. Consulting the pulmonologist is always an advantage. They might do your lung volumes and record the pulmonary function tests like forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity. This is called spirometry testing and will show if your lung expansion is significantly affected or not.
3. Going to the pulmonologist and getting the spirometery tests might serve as a baseline for subsequent development of any respiratory symptoms and lung changes.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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