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How Can The Common Finding In Imaging Studies After Certain Lung Infections Be Interpreted?
Question: I have always had an elevated white blood cell count. about 15,000 is what it usually runs. As a child I did not have a good immune system, always had pneumonia, and related lung issues. I suffer with bone pain, joint pain, sweats, low grade fevers, rashes. Recently I had some testing done and the doctors report came back with this impression: Sequelae of prior granulomatous disease, calcified lymph nodes, small calcified hilar lymph nodes are present. Perihilar calcified nodules are present in the right infrahilar region. These findings can be seen with prior granulomatous disease. Loss of height of mid thoracic vertebra. No cardiopulmonary disease. What does all this mean? I am a 63 year old woman
Brief Answer:
Previous lung infections, most likely TB or Histoplasmosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
One-sided calcified lymph nodes are highly suggestive of previous lung infections. In order to fight the infections, special immune cells called macrophages get collected in lymph nodes which are called a granuloma. Over time the granuloma may get calcified.
Calcified lymph nodes are the common finding in imaging studies after certain lung infections. One-sided (unilateral) hilar calcified lymph nodes with previous lung granulomatous infectious diseases are commonly caused by tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis.
Histoplasma is caused by fungal infection and TB is caused by bacterial infection. Both of them may cause diseases in people with weakened immune system and patients may have low-grade fever and sweats. But joint pain and rash are common in Histoplasmosis.
In order confirm the diagnosis further diagnostic workup should be done.
Hope, this information is helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Regards.
Previous lung infections, most likely TB or Histoplasmosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
One-sided calcified lymph nodes are highly suggestive of previous lung infections. In order to fight the infections, special immune cells called macrophages get collected in lymph nodes which are called a granuloma. Over time the granuloma may get calcified.
Calcified lymph nodes are the common finding in imaging studies after certain lung infections. One-sided (unilateral) hilar calcified lymph nodes with previous lung granulomatous infectious diseases are commonly caused by tuberculosis (TB) and histoplasmosis.
Histoplasma is caused by fungal infection and TB is caused by bacterial infection. Both of them may cause diseases in people with weakened immune system and patients may have low-grade fever and sweats. But joint pain and rash are common in Histoplasmosis.
In order confirm the diagnosis further diagnostic workup should be done.
Hope, this information is helpful for you. Please, feel free to ask me if there is anything else you need to know.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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