HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

I Have Uploaded Some Recent X-ray Results And Was Wondering

Posted on Wed, 17 Jul 2019

Question: I have uploaded some recent X-ray results and was wondering what opacities mean and if this an alarming finding. According to the report it is possibly a bronchial problem. I have also been diagnosed with COPD many years ago yet I have had other X-rays done that don't mention that and some that do. I am a bit confused and just need some advice on the current reading. Are opacities cancer? What does mildly prominent interstitial opacities mean?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of viral infection is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the x ray report you have attached.
First of all, no need to worry for cancer.
This x ray is more suggestive of viral infection.
This kind of prominent interstitial opacities are commonly seen with viral pneumonia.
So I want to know about your symptoms.
So please let me know
1. Do you have fever?
2. Do you have cough?
3. Do you have chest pain?
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. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (54 minutes later)

Thanks for the response. I don't have a cough or a fever. I do sometimes though have the urge to cough but I don't have a sustained cough. I do experience chest pain though which is intermittent. I also have shortness of breath. You mentioned viral pneumonia however the radiologist said he didn't see that. Do you agree that this is maybe a bronchial issue as the report states?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, I don't think it is bronchial issue.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
No, I don't think it is bronchial issue.
In my opinion, you should get done CT thorax and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
Please let me know
1. Have you advised about CT thorax?
2. Have you ever undergone PFT?
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. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (22 minutes later)

I have never had a CT Thorax done or a pulmonary function test performed. What is the purpose of these tests and what specifically do they tell you? I also forgot to mention that I use a CPAP machine every night and I know this can cause infections. You originally mentioned it probably was an infection? Now it seems maybe you don't think that is the problem. Am I potentially dealing with a cancer issue or something else?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Ask a doctor forum.
I can understand your concern.
Sorry for late reply as I was busy.
CT thorax is more informative than chest x ray especially for infections.
CT wil clear doubt regarding this opacity on chest x ray.
And I never said no to infection.
I still feel that possibility of viral infection is more likely.
And use of CPAP machine makes you prone for infection.
Though your symptoms are not suggestive of infection but i still feel that you should rule out infection by undergoing CT thorax.
And no need to worry for cancer.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng