Have Had CT Scan Done For Lungs. What Does Reports Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 12 Nov 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 Answered on

Wed, 4 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Sir, I went for Saudi Visa medical test, initially they took X-ray and said there is an issue, so advised to take CT scan for further investigation. The observation is as follows. I have been selected as Electronic Engineer, which is mostly inside control room with no field work. Kindly inform if the following is to be worried. 1. parenchymal scar noted in left lingula 2. Tiny calcific foci noted in right lower paratracheal lymph nodes 3. Tiny parenchymal scar noted in the middle segment of right middle lobe

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Need further investigations.Sputum, Scopy, Culture Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I have gone through your query and understand your concern. It is very difficult to interpret with just CT scan findings. Because Parenchymal scars in lung and calcium deposits in para tracheal nodes are present in many diseases Some common causes which we have to investigate are 1. Histoplasmosis 2. Tuberculosis 3. Silicosis as well as asbestosis 4. Cancer in lung with nodal involvement 5. Sarcoidosis Please consider the following investigation to find the cause and for further treatment 1. Complete blood count - to find any eosinophilia or raised or decreased white blood count. 2. Blood culture - specic fungal culture to rule out any Histoplasmosis. 3. Sputum culture - potassium hydroxide staining can be used for sputum to rule out any silent fungal infections 4. Bronchoscopy - to obtain bronchoalveolar lavage/transbronchial biopsy specimens for staining and culture and to detect any cancer cells in lavage. 5. Transthoracic fine-needle biopsy - usually radiologically guided to biopsy nodules for staining/histology/culture. Depends upon the cause, we can treat the disease and it may range from simple antibiotics or antifungals to chemoradiotherapy. Hope this Helps. Please write back to us for further queries.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (29 minutes later)

Can you please inform if any of the disease mentioned by you is contagious? In case if diagnosed with any one of the disease how long it will take to get cured? 1. Histoplasmosis 2. Tuberculosis 3. Silicosis as well as asbestosis 4. Cancer in lung with nodal involvement 5. Sarcoidosis

Answered by Dr. Manjeth Kumar G (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Tuberculosis is contagious disease. Investigate. Detailed Answer: Hello, Of the above mentioned possibilites,Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease and spread by droplet infection. Histoplasmosis and Tuberculosis may be treated and cured. But Silicosis, asbestosis and Cancer in lung as well as sarcoidosis can be treated but cannot be cured. Do not get confused. Please do the investigation and identify the exact cause of the scars and calcification. Hope this helps. Please write back to us for further queries. Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D