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What Does This CT Scan Report For Pneumonia Indicate?
Question: Have a recent normal chest x-ray and recent chest CT scan. CT showed up some plural effusion and other findings that could be inflammatory in opposite side.
Lifelong moderate smoker.
Somewhat sedentary lifestyle.
Several bouts with upper respiratory cold type problems and pneumonia the past 2-3 years.
Problems?
Lifelong moderate smoker.
Somewhat sedentary lifestyle.
Several bouts with upper respiratory cold type problems and pneumonia the past 2-3 years.
Problems?
Brief Answer:
I would need some.more info.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Health Care Magic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem.
Effusion can be caused due to many causes and it has to been seen what has caused it, before commenting on any possibility I would.need you to give me some information.
1) What are your current symptoms?
2) Do you have shortness of breath ?
3) Does shortness of breath worsen on lying down?
4) Do you have any heart of blood pressure issues?
5) Are you having any pmeumonia now a day?
6) Is there any fever?
7).Were your blood works done?.what did they suggest?
I am waiting for your response
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
General and Family Physician..
I would need some.more info.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Health Care Magic, I am Dr Muhammd Ahmad, I have closely read your question and I understand your concerns, I will hereby guide you regarding your health related problem.
Effusion can be caused due to many causes and it has to been seen what has caused it, before commenting on any possibility I would.need you to give me some information.
1) What are your current symptoms?
2) Do you have shortness of breath ?
3) Does shortness of breath worsen on lying down?
4) Do you have any heart of blood pressure issues?
5) Are you having any pmeumonia now a day?
6) Is there any fever?
7).Were your blood works done?.what did they suggest?
I am waiting for your response
Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.
General and Family Physician..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
1) There are no real current symptoms other than light cough
2) She does have some shortness of breath with heavier exercise...not severe....walks about a mile a day on average for exercise.
3) Not that I have noticed.
4) Mild high BP and takes medication. Medication was just changed upon Dr recommendation to address cough. This has helped somewhat but hasn't totally eliminated the cough. Cough is worsened by smoking.
5) No sickness or apparent problems regarding pneumonia that we know about.
6) No fever.
7) Very recent blood work. Very normal.
I think I have attached the most recent blood test. Not sure if this was successful.
Please advise if this attachment came thru.
2) She does have some shortness of breath with heavier exercise...not severe....walks about a mile a day on average for exercise.
3) Not that I have noticed.
4) Mild high BP and takes medication. Medication was just changed upon Dr recommendation to address cough. This has helped somewhat but hasn't totally eliminated the cough. Cough is worsened by smoking.
5) No sickness or apparent problems regarding pneumonia that we know about.
6) No fever.
7) Very recent blood work. Very normal.
I think I have attached the most recent blood test. Not sure if this was successful.
Please advise if this attachment came thru.
Brief Answer:
You can take help from customer care to attach tests.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back,No I can't see any attachment with the question, I would suggest you to take help of our customer case to attach the blood works it would help me to give you a more educated advice.
regards.
You can take help from customer care to attach tests.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back,No I can't see any attachment with the question, I would suggest you to take help of our customer case to attach the blood works it would help me to give you a more educated advice.
regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I think the file is attached now.
Brief Answer:
This needs a complete set of changes in life style.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back and attaching the reports, sorry for the inconvenience, I have looked into the reports closely and found them normal , it seems she is otherwise in quite a good shape.
As you told there aren't much pronounced symptoms lately and she isn't having symptoms of pneumonia either plus her blood works are fine rules out many causes of effusion.
1) Heart( heart failure may cause effusion but as she doen't have dyspnea or shortness of breath worsening on lying down so it is least possible.
2) Kidney( Her tests for kindney are normal so it wont be it.)
3) Liver( her liver is fine and albumen too is fine so it doesn't seem to be a cause)
4) Infection( her WBC are fine and she doesn't have on going pneumonia , fever or any other such symptoms so it is not a possibility either)
5) Inflammation: Last possible cause which is usually possible in such case is inflammation which in my opinion has caused effusion. Now here it's imporant to keep in mind that X.ray chest was normal, it means effusion wasn't big enough to be seen on the Xray and needed a high end investigation like Ct scan to be detected.
Such effusions are usually result of inflammatory changes in the lungs, these can be because of any hypersensitivity ( allergy ) , or irritation by components of cigarette smoke.
The best line of management in this case if to first stop smoking, it is not going to be easy but there are aid and ways to stop smoking with lesser difficulty but in my opinion smoking is taking it's toll on her lungs now and it's time she quits it.
Secondly if she is allergic to something in air like dust etc first she should avoid it secondly a regular use of anti inflammatory and antiallergic will help with this
It is advised to fix an appointment with a pulmonologist to start a proper treatment. This this is not at all dangerous at the moment and not a life threatening problem apparently but if insult to the lungs keeps on happening for next 3..4 more years then it might compromise her health and functionality this is what she should prepare to protect herself from and this will need proper education, avoiding what harms the lungs and leading a healthier life style.
I Hope this answered the question if you have more concerns I am here to help you.
Best regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad
This needs a complete set of changes in life style.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back and attaching the reports, sorry for the inconvenience, I have looked into the reports closely and found them normal , it seems she is otherwise in quite a good shape.
As you told there aren't much pronounced symptoms lately and she isn't having symptoms of pneumonia either plus her blood works are fine rules out many causes of effusion.
1) Heart( heart failure may cause effusion but as she doen't have dyspnea or shortness of breath worsening on lying down so it is least possible.
2) Kidney( Her tests for kindney are normal so it wont be it.)
3) Liver( her liver is fine and albumen too is fine so it doesn't seem to be a cause)
4) Infection( her WBC are fine and she doesn't have on going pneumonia , fever or any other such symptoms so it is not a possibility either)
5) Inflammation: Last possible cause which is usually possible in such case is inflammation which in my opinion has caused effusion. Now here it's imporant to keep in mind that X.ray chest was normal, it means effusion wasn't big enough to be seen on the Xray and needed a high end investigation like Ct scan to be detected.
Such effusions are usually result of inflammatory changes in the lungs, these can be because of any hypersensitivity ( allergy ) , or irritation by components of cigarette smoke.
The best line of management in this case if to first stop smoking, it is not going to be easy but there are aid and ways to stop smoking with lesser difficulty but in my opinion smoking is taking it's toll on her lungs now and it's time she quits it.
Secondly if she is allergic to something in air like dust etc first she should avoid it secondly a regular use of anti inflammatory and antiallergic will help with this
It is advised to fix an appointment with a pulmonologist to start a proper treatment. This this is not at all dangerous at the moment and not a life threatening problem apparently but if insult to the lungs keeps on happening for next 3..4 more years then it might compromise her health and functionality this is what she should prepare to protect herself from and this will need proper education, avoiding what harms the lungs and leading a healthier life style.
I Hope this answered the question if you have more concerns I am here to help you.
Best regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
A follow up X-ray will be done today and appointment made with pulmonary specialist made. Kelsey-Seybold doctor recommended a GI exam as well.
Would a CT with contrast be in order?
Chances for the effusion being MPE are relatively small?
Thanks for your in depth examination of the data presented. Nice job.
Would a CT with contrast be in order?
Chances for the effusion being MPE are relatively small?
Thanks for your in depth examination of the data presented. Nice job.
Brief Answer:
MPE can not be ruled out like that.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back, I dont have CT scan report so can't comment on that with sure but MPE can not be ruled out as such . scattered pleural effusions can well be MPE in smokers but usually they are simple inflammatory to rule out MPE other exams like aspiration or biopsy might be opted by your doctor. GI consult is just to checkout other rare possibilities.
MPE usually can be seen in Xray but it doesnt mean if it isnt there one cant have it, in start of disease Xray chest might well be perfectly normal.
Currently you are going on the right line of management a pulmonologist's expert opinion was manadatory and you have an appointment hopefully many questions will be answered. If you have any concerns even after the appointment feel free to discuss.
regards.
Dr.Ahmad
MPE can not be ruled out like that.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for writing back, I dont have CT scan report so can't comment on that with sure but MPE can not be ruled out as such . scattered pleural effusions can well be MPE in smokers but usually they are simple inflammatory to rule out MPE other exams like aspiration or biopsy might be opted by your doctor. GI consult is just to checkout other rare possibilities.
MPE usually can be seen in Xray but it doesnt mean if it isnt there one cant have it, in start of disease Xray chest might well be perfectly normal.
Currently you are going on the right line of management a pulmonologist's expert opinion was manadatory and you have an appointment hopefully many questions will be answered. If you have any concerns even after the appointment feel free to discuss.
regards.
Dr.Ahmad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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