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What Does The Chest X-ray Report Indicate?
Question: Hi my wife has had a chest X-ray which reports a focus of shadow , possibly infiltrate or fibrotic material. It mentions there is no calcified nodes so negative of TB. Queries cause.
Next step is a CT scan. She has just been diagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis so this was a routine chest X-ray before starting methotrexate.
We are clearly concerned it is cancer but are there other possibilities
Next step is a CT scan. She has just been diagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis so this was a routine chest X-ray before starting methotrexate.
We are clearly concerned it is cancer but are there other possibilities
Brief Answer:
Shadow in chest X-ray may be due to infection(infiltration),fibrosis,mass.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Opacity/shadow in chest X-ray may be due to infection(infiltration),fibrosis,mass etc.
It is too early to conclude any diagnosis from this finding.
Findings will be more clear after CT scan of thorax.It can assess fibrosis,consolidation(infection).Fibrosis is sequel of past infection and this condition doesn't require any treatment.
It is important to evaluate for lymph nodes which can be well assessed by CT scan.Chest X-ray can miss the findings.
You shouldn't worry much about cancer because it is generally due to infection.
First you may need course of antibiotics.
Proper treatment is based upon clinical findings and investigation reports.
You may need follow up chest X-ray.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Shadow in chest X-ray may be due to infection(infiltration),fibrosis,mass.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Opacity/shadow in chest X-ray may be due to infection(infiltration),fibrosis,mass etc.
It is too early to conclude any diagnosis from this finding.
Findings will be more clear after CT scan of thorax.It can assess fibrosis,consolidation(infection).Fibrosis is sequel of past infection and this condition doesn't require any treatment.
It is important to evaluate for lymph nodes which can be well assessed by CT scan.Chest X-ray can miss the findings.
You shouldn't worry much about cancer because it is generally due to infection.
First you may need course of antibiotics.
Proper treatment is based upon clinical findings and investigation reports.
You may need follow up chest X-ray.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you - if a radiologist strongly suspected carcinoma would it be stated on the report?
Brief Answer:
If there is suspected carcinoma,it must be reported in report.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
If there is suspected carcinoma,it must be reported in the report.But in chest X-ray typical findings of carcinoma are not always present in all cases.
Carcinoma is indicated by spiculated margin etc.
CT scan can better evaluate the lesion.
Suspected carcinoma genarally need to assess doubling time(time in which its size doubles).
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
If there is suspected carcinoma,it must be reported in report.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
If there is suspected carcinoma,it must be reported in the report.But in chest X-ray typical findings of carcinoma are not always present in all cases.
Carcinoma is indicated by spiculated margin etc.
CT scan can better evaluate the lesion.
Suspected carcinoma genarally need to assess doubling time(time in which its size doubles).
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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