Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
X-ray Result States Ill-defined And Fairly Nodular Densities In Left Upper Lung Field. Positive In TB? Suggest
HI, my friend had his X-ray result stating "hazy ill-defined and fairly nodular densities are seen in the left upper lung field. Cardiac shadow is not enlarged. Diaphragm, costophrenic sulci and bony thorax are intact. Imaged osseous structures are unremarkable."
Does it mean that my friend is positive in TB..?
Thank you.
Does it mean that my friend is positive in TB..?
Thank you.
Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Hi and welcome to HCM.
No,but further tests should be done including blood immunologic tests and lungs bacterial smear. It can be sign of any lung infection or lymoh nodes enlargement so further testing is neccessary. Till that try not to be in close contact with your friend,it can be inectious. Wish you good health.
No,but further tests should be done including blood immunologic tests and lungs bacterial smear. It can be sign of any lung infection or lymoh nodes enlargement so further testing is neccessary. Till that try not to be in close contact with your friend,it can be inectious. Wish you good health.
I find this answer helpful
User's Response
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra's
Response
Hi,
Your friend needs to get evaluated with a pulmonologist. Investigations that may be required are sputum afb smear and culture, if sputum is negative then the next investigation would be bronchoscopy and finally CT scan. Thus a detailed evaluation is required for labelling the patient as TB.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
Your friend needs to get evaluated with a pulmonologist. Investigations that may be required are sputum afb smear and culture, if sputum is negative then the next investigation would be bronchoscopy and finally CT scan. Thus a detailed evaluation is required for labelling the patient as TB.
Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist
Hi Shayne,
Thanks for visiting HCM.
Pulmonary tuberculosis usually occur in upper lobes evident on chest x-ray as fibrosis, nodularity, cavity, consolidations etc. It is more common in right side but can occur in left side.
It is better at this juncture to go for sputum examination for acid fast bacilli readily available at designated microscopy centres free of cost. If it comes out to be positive then anti-tubercular therapy should be started.
If it is negative, then suggestive tests like ESR, montoux test can help.
If all are negative, and if symptoms like cough of any type for 2 weeks, bloody sputum, loss of weight, evening rise of temperature, night sweats are there, then treatment can be started empirically.
Best wishes
Thanks for visiting HCM.
Pulmonary tuberculosis usually occur in upper lobes evident on chest x-ray as fibrosis, nodularity, cavity, consolidations etc. It is more common in right side but can occur in left side.
It is better at this juncture to go for sputum examination for acid fast bacilli readily available at designated microscopy centres free of cost. If it comes out to be positive then anti-tubercular therapy should be started.
If it is negative, then suggestive tests like ESR, montoux test can help.
If all are negative, and if symptoms like cough of any type for 2 weeks, bloody sputum, loss of weight, evening rise of temperature, night sweats are there, then treatment can be started empirically.
Best wishes
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Lung infection
Loading Online Doctors....