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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Chest X-ray Shows Mild Bilateral Apical Pleural Thickening. Has Shortness Of Breath, Coughing. Suggestions?

My girlfriend had a chest X-ray and they are telling her she has a Mild Bilateral Apical Pleural Thickening. She will be tested for TB but I am certain that is not the cause. Her mother died from PF and now her brother has been diagnosed with it too. She has shortness of breath and coughing and other sysmtoms. She is obviously scared and fears the worst. What advice can you give us.
Sun, 31 Mar 2013
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response


Hello,

Tuberculosis is one of the common causes of bilateral apical fibrosis. As her x-ray has not shown any major lung damage, there is no need to panic.

As she has a history of pulmonary fibrosis in the family, she needs tests in this direction. Get her lung volumes and flow rates tested during breathing (by means of Pulmonary Function Tests). What is her oxygen saturation on her finger? Your doctor could find this and tell you. A high resolution CT scan of the thorax will also be needed as her mother and her brother both had PF.

Shortness of breath and coughing may be due to a number of more common causes like allergic bronchitis or bronchial asthma. A viral infection may present at times with similar symptoms. Her doctor will listen to her lungs for lung signs and also get blood tested.

Hope your friend gets better soon. Thanks a lot for using healthcaremagic.com
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Chest X-ray Shows Mild Bilateral Apical Pleural Thickening. Has Shortness Of Breath, Coughing. Suggestions?

Hello, Tuberculosis is one of the common causes of bilateral apical fibrosis. As her x-ray has not shown any major lung damage, there is no need to panic. As she has a history of pulmonary fibrosis in the family, she needs tests in this direction. Get her lung volumes and flow rates tested during breathing (by means of Pulmonary Function Tests). What is her oxygen saturation on her finger? Your doctor could find this and tell you. A high resolution CT scan of the thorax will also be needed as her mother and her brother both had PF. Shortness of breath and coughing may be due to a number of more common causes like allergic bronchitis or bronchial asthma. A viral infection may present at times with similar symptoms. Her doctor will listen to her lungs for lung signs and also get blood tested. Hope your friend gets better soon. Thanks a lot for using healthcaremagic.com