Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough In An Elderly Person

Posted on Thu, 4 Aug 2016

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

Thu, 4 Aug 2016 Answered on

Thu, 1 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Good afternoon,

My 79 year old father was taken to the emergency room with chronic coughing. At the E room they took many tests including blood cultures and chest X-Rays. The blood culture came back with bacteria but he was told it was not serious. However at CAT SCAN showed a mass on the sternum. He was was given antibiotics for the bronchitis. What specialist should he be referred to investigate this mass. He has problems sleeping at night as it feels like something is on his chest and it inhibits breathing.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is this mass in the sternum (bone)?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If he is having mass on the sternum (bone) then you should consult orthopedic doctor and get done clinical examination of mass and if needed fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the mass to confirm the diagnosis.
If it is in lungs then consult pulmonologist and get bronchoscopy.
So please let me know whether mass is on sternum (bone) or not.
I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (34 minutes later)

i WILL VERIFY WHERE THE MASS IS

iT IS ON THE BONE

tHE MASS IS IN THE BONE NOT LUNGS

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
So consult orthopedic doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since he is having bony mass, better to consult orthopedic doctor and get done clinical examination and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to diagnose the etiology of mass.
I want to ask few more questions to know further about his sternal mass but only if you permit.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 hours later)

You can ask anything you want

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is swelling seen from outside?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for your permission.
Please let me know.
1. Is this mass seen on skin? Means is there any swelling on sternum?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar