Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does My X-ray Report Indicate?
Question: I have had an Xray chest. I got it because sometimes I feel some typically sharp pain (not severe though) in my lung. I have been smoking (sorry) for more than 30 years. I just quitted and wanted to have some security about not having lungcancer. I am 49 years old and have a very good health. The result of the Xray is as following:
"There is blunting of the right costophrenic angle, consistent with either pleural thickening or small effusion. the lungst are otherwise clear.
Heart and mediastinum normal
No ossecus lesion present.
Wat would be your advice on the pleural thickening or small effusion? Is it worth the effort to have this further checked? And in what way?
thank you in advance for your answer!
"There is blunting of the right costophrenic angle, consistent with either pleural thickening or small effusion. the lungst are otherwise clear.
Heart and mediastinum normal
No ossecus lesion present.
Wat would be your advice on the pleural thickening or small effusion? Is it worth the effort to have this further checked? And in what way?
thank you in advance for your answer!
Brief Answer:
Chest CT is a good idea.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
First of all please note that chest x-ray is not the right test to detect early lung cancer. It can only detect large tumors and in specific locations. So you can not feel secured in any way having this x-ray done.
What you should do, is to have a chest CT. This test result can make you secure.
If it is about pleural thickening, it may be due to some inflammation you have had in the past or adhesions. It does not sound suspicious, but still CT is a very good idea.
The pain you have, is most likely due to rib nerve irritation. It may be from your spine or other muscles/nerve inflammation. Physical therapy is the best way to have it improved.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Chest CT is a good idea.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
First of all please note that chest x-ray is not the right test to detect early lung cancer. It can only detect large tumors and in specific locations. So you can not feel secured in any way having this x-ray done.
What you should do, is to have a chest CT. This test result can make you secure.
If it is about pleural thickening, it may be due to some inflammation you have had in the past or adhesions. It does not sound suspicious, but still CT is a very good idea.
The pain you have, is most likely due to rib nerve irritation. It may be from your spine or other muscles/nerve inflammation. Physical therapy is the best way to have it improved.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
