What Does "non-specific Opacity Behind Pharynx" In A CT Scan Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 19 May 2014

Question: Adult female reported to E.R. with muffled voice and severe throat pain controlled with Rx Motrin. Female did not report any difficulty with breathing. Contrast Cat Scan confirmed a non-specific opacity behind pharynx within the soft tissue-no involvement with cervical bones-digestive tract patent-no tumor in digestive tract-no pathologic adenopathy by imaging criteria-salivary glands normal without mass/inflammation-thyroid gland normal location without mass or nodule. Contrast Cat Scan confirmed non-specific opacity appears at C2/C3 and extends to C5-measuring 3mm thickness that does not "appear" to be an abscess per several medical associates. I've been told that this isn't "normal" and is very rare. Is this type of adult onset, unexpected discovery "go away" after Prednisone and Antibiotic treatment? I had numerous blood work pulled, but only discharged with basic CBC/Diff results-am I looking at a cancer diagnosis?

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
please continue the antibiotics and steroids

Detailed Answer:
hello

please dont worry !

From your ct scan report and symptoms it is highly unlikely that it is a cancer and is more likely to be an infective pathology and will clear up with antibiotics and prednisolone.

If your symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks even after antibiotics and steroids , then it may be a cause for a concern and you may have to meet your doctor for considering getting a biopsy done from the lesion , to find out the exact diagnosis .

please dont worry now , continue your medications and warm salt water gargles 2-3 times a day , also avoid hot and spicy food , you will be fine!

Take care!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E