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What Does This CT Scan Of Chest Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016

Question: I had valley fever a few years ago- new CT of chest reveals - Left sided apical fibrotic scars ( you say that is normal healing right?)
but the CT also mentions a well defined sizeable emphysematous bulla measuring 6.5 X 4.8 cm seen within the supradiaphragmatic retrocardiac region
My doctor thinks its nothing to worry about- but she is not a pulmonologist and I have never seen her prior to this visit
thanks

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
What are your current symptoms?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If you are asymptomatic and non smoker then no need to worry for this emphysematous bulla.
This might be an accidental finding.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have breathlessness on exertion?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

I smoke one cigarrette a few times per week- only for a few months- stupid I know
guess I will stop
could you maybe have time to explain what it is - this bulla ?
P.S. I do have some fatigue- but that's not really new - and could be depression related and I can exercise without too many issues

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bullae are focal regions of emphysema with no discenible wall.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Pulmonary bullae are focal regions of emphysema with no discenible wall which measure more than 1cm in diameter.
If these are less than 1 cm then they are known as blebs.
For better understanding, these are dead space in lung which occupy lung space but don't function properly.
Most common cause for this is smoking related lung damage.
Please let me know
1. Did you ever had tuberculosis in the past?
2. Did you ever had pneumonia in the past?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (20 minutes later)

thanks so much for spending so much time- yes I have had valley fever pneumonia- but that was in the right upper lobe I believe-

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Exactly before how many years you had pneumonia?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.. No need for thanks. It's my duty to serve my patients.
Please let me know
1. Exactly how many years back you had pneumonia?
2. This CT scan is of recent times or older times?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 minutes later)

I had pneumonia about three years ago
and this CT scan was a month ago

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
What was the indication for CT?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Please let me know
1. Pneumonia three years ago was severe and needed hospitalization?
2. What were your symptoms which needs CT thorax one month ago?
3. Did you have cough, hemoptysis or fever or breathlessness before 1 year?
4. Did you had any symptoms during these three years?
Sorry to say ask so many questions, but all these are needed to understand your case.
So please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

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