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What Does "Bibasilar Parenchymal Scarring" Mean?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Mar 2015
Question: Got my Doc's report today. Radio results of CHEST ER'S 2 VIEWS PA & LAT. CUT 71020.
Bibasilar parenchymal scarring. No discrete consolidation identified.
Please tell me what this means.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bibasilar parenchymal scarring not a serious concern by itself

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in.

I have read through your query in detail.
It is important to have a knowledge of your age and reasons why you got Chest X rays done.

There appears to be fine shadows in both the lungs at the bases which we find the lower lobe segments. This is described as parenchymal scarring. This can happen as a result of changes due to advanced age or any old infection in the past. By itself this finding is not a serious concern and if you are having breathing difficulties then doing lung function tests might be required.

No discrete consolidation identified is a normal observation. This means there is no focus of pneumonia in the lungs.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (10 hours later)
I am 82 years old. Had an MI in Aug 2014 and a milder one Dec. 27 2014. The Exray was as a regular visit to my primary provider at Veterans Affairs. I am very short winded and get "oout of breath" doing simple things. 6 months ago said I could walk all day, but now I cannot.
What can/should be done about the scarring and shortness of breath.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
X ray changes are acceptable at your age, get heart examined in detail

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Since you are 82 years in age, parenchymal scarring might be acceptable as a change due to advanced age. This is not really a concern in your case. It is clearly mentioned that there is no consolidation identified and this means that you do not have any visible lung infection on the X ray.

The shortness of breath requires attention. There is a possibility that your heart is unable to do as much work it was doing till few months back. The heart is a pump and at 82 years, the heart values might have leakage and the muscle contractions might get weaker. I suggest you to consult a cardiologist for your shortness of breath and an echocardiography is important to know the functioning of your heart. This will reveal any causes in the pumping mechanism of your heart and its contribution to your symptoms.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Does "Bibasilar Parenchymal Scarring" Mean?

Brief Answer: Bibasilar parenchymal scarring not a serious concern by itself Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thanks for writing in. I have read through your query in detail. It is important to have a knowledge of your age and reasons why you got Chest X rays done. There appears to be fine shadows in both the lungs at the bases which we find the lower lobe segments. This is described as parenchymal scarring. This can happen as a result of changes due to advanced age or any old infection in the past. By itself this finding is not a serious concern and if you are having breathing difficulties then doing lung function tests might be required. No discrete consolidation identified is a normal observation. This means there is no focus of pneumonia in the lungs. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek