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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does 'peripheral Interstitial Thickening Suggestive Of Pulmonary Fibrosis' Mean?

my 91 yr old elderly mother has had two chest X-rays done at the Family Doctor's request. And, this was written on the results, and my sisters & I would like to know what it means...since neither of us were able to take her, except our cousin volunteered to take her. Before I ask her, I would like to understand more about "what does Peripheral Interstitial Thickening is suggestive of Pulmonary Fibrosis mean ?" She's had Pnemonia before, and almost died two yrs ago from it which she had a mild heart attack / and sugar dropped to 29, plus the Pnemonia .. can you please enlighten me on this thanks... A Mother's only Son
Thu, 9 Apr 2015
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Orthopaedic Surgeon 's  Response
i understand your concern for your mother.
The Xray report suggests that the diagnosis is Pulmonary Fibrosis.
This suggestion is on the basis that the Xray reveals thickening of the interstitial spaces in the lungs in the periphery.

Fibrosis means scarring
Pulmonary fibrosis means scarring in the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many conditions, including chronic inflammatory processes (like sarcoidosis or Wegener's granulomatosis), infections, environmental agents (asbestos, silica, exposure to certain gases), exposure to ionizing radiation (such as radiation therapy to treat tumors of the chest), chronic conditions (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), and certain drugs, such as nitrofurantoin and methotrexate.


Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include shortness of breath, cough, and diminished exercise tolerance

Pulmonary fibrosis can cause decreased oxygen levels in the blood. A decrease in blood oxygen level can lead to elevated pressure in the pulmonary artery (the vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs to receive oxygen), a condition known as pulmonary hypertension, which can in turn lead to failure of the right ventricle of the heart. Therefore, patients with pulmonary fibrosis are frequently treated with supplemental oxygen to prevent pulmonary hypertension.

Take Care
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What Does 'peripheral Interstitial Thickening Suggestive Of Pulmonary Fibrosis' Mean?

i understand your concern for your mother. The Xray report suggests that the diagnosis is Pulmonary Fibrosis. This suggestion is on the basis that the Xray reveals thickening of the interstitial spaces in the lungs in the periphery. Fibrosis means scarring Pulmonary fibrosis means scarring in the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many conditions, including chronic inflammatory processes (like sarcoidosis or Wegener s granulomatosis), infections, environmental agents (asbestos, silica, exposure to certain gases), exposure to ionizing radiation (such as radiation therapy to treat tumors of the chest), chronic conditions (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), and certain drugs, such as nitrofurantoin and methotrexate. Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include shortness of breath, cough, and diminished exercise tolerance Pulmonary fibrosis can cause decreased oxygen levels in the blood. A decrease in blood oxygen level can lead to elevated pressure in the pulmonary artery (the vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs to receive oxygen), a condition known as pulmonary hypertension, which can in turn lead to failure of the right ventricle of the heart. Therefore, patients with pulmonary fibrosis are frequently treated with supplemental oxygen to prevent pulmonary hypertension. Take Care