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Should I Be Concerned About Mild COPD With Minimal Scarring?

Posted on Tue, 20 Apr 2021

Question: Hi, I just had a chest x-ray, 6/8/2018. The written report states as follows: the prior ( 2014) linear densities in the lungs are again identified and unchanged consistent with scar. Impression: mild COPD with minimal scarring. No significant change. I am a 79 year old female and never smoked. Should I be concerned!

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done PFT.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Diagnosis of COPD should be made by clinical symptoms and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) report.
Chest X-ray is not diagnostic about COPD.

So if you are asymptomatic with normal PFT, no need to worry about this chest x-ray report.
Your linear opacities are stable so it is likely due to age-related scarring of the lung.

So in my opinion, you should definitely get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
If PFT is showing obstructive defect then a possibility of COPD is there and then you need inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

Please let me know:
1. Do you have any respiratory symptoms?
2. Have you ever undergone PFT?

Please let me know the answers to the 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. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)

I had a pft many years ago, said I had mild asthma. I’m allergic to cats dogs and dust.

Oximeter always registers upper 90 ‘sos

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
What about symptoms?

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

So in my opinion, you should definitely repeat the PFT again.

And what about current symptoms?
Do you have any breathlessness, cough, wheezing?

I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

I don’t know if you got my follow up question

I had a pft many years ago told I had mild asthma. I am

allergic to cats, dogs and dust. Just a few times my chest felt tight after being around a dog. After I left I was fine

Oximeter always registers co2 Upper 90’s

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I got your reply and that's why I ask you to go for a fresh PFT.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Yes, I got your follow up question and that's why I ask for getting the fresh PFT report.
If fresh PFT report is showing worsening of pre-existing asthma then you will need inhaled bronchodilators (Formoterol or Salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

Oral combination of antihistamine (Levocetirizine or Fexofenadine) and anti-allergic (Montelukast) once a day at night is also beneficial.

I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee