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What Does The Following Chest CT Scan Report Suggest?
Question: Hello
I just recently had a CT scan of chest,37year old female,former smoker:
this is what the CT scan radiologist revealed:
There is minor scarring scarring in the apical segments of both upper lobes, with mild dilatation of few bronchi(not thick walled) in the right upper lobe,and a tiny (3 mm) calicified granuloma is seen in the right middle lobe in keeping with previous infection.
Previous infection with some minor residual bronchial abnormalitiesin the upper right lobe.
What is there to say, should I worry is it the start of something bad or a cancer?
Thanks
I just recently had a CT scan of chest,37year old female,former smoker:
this is what the CT scan radiologist revealed:
There is minor scarring scarring in the apical segments of both upper lobes, with mild dilatation of few bronchi(not thick walled) in the right upper lobe,and a tiny (3 mm) calicified granuloma is seen in the right middle lobe in keeping with previous infection.
Previous infection with some minor residual bronchial abnormalitiesin the upper right lobe.
What is there to say, should I worry is it the start of something bad or a cancer?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
The minor scarring and granuloma is unlikely progress to cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
It is probably changes in the upper lobes of lungs due to a previous infection and smoking. If you have stopped smoking then there is no need to worry.
The minor scarring in apical segments will not progress to cancer. The calcified granuloma is a healed infection and will not pose any danger.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
The minor scarring and granuloma is unlikely progress to cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.
It is probably changes in the upper lobes of lungs due to a previous infection and smoking. If you have stopped smoking then there is no need to worry.
The minor scarring in apical segments will not progress to cancer. The calcified granuloma is a healed infection and will not pose any danger.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr.Chail:
I have a few more questions:
1-I wanted to ask you what is it with the mild dilatation of the few bronchi?
2-Could the minor scars of the upper develop into peripheral cancer of the lungs?
3-Are the scars permanent?
4-Will the 3mm granuloma go away?
5-Will the dilatation of the bronchi go away?
Thanks
I have a few more questions:
1-I wanted to ask you what is it with the mild dilatation of the few bronchi?
2-Could the minor scars of the upper develop into peripheral cancer of the lungs?
3-Are the scars permanent?
4-Will the 3mm granuloma go away?
5-Will the dilatation of the bronchi go away?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Minor scars will not develop in to cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Mild dilatation of few bronchi can be seen in many conditions and the lumen of the smaller air spaces increases. It is important to know why you got the CT scan done and if you have symptoms of any respiratory infection.
2. Though scars can develop in to cancers after many years, minor scars rarely become cancers. If there is a large scar then the small risk persists. In your case I think there is no need to worry about a cancer change in the scar.
3. Scars are permanent and happen due to loss of elasticity if the walls of small air sacs. The elasticity is not regained again.
4. The granuloma is a healed infection with calcification. It is not an active infection. Sometimes granulomas can grow over years.
5. If the dilatation of bronchi is due to an acute infection then it can improve and get cured. However in patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial dilatation is likely persistent.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Minor scars will not develop in to cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Mild dilatation of few bronchi can be seen in many conditions and the lumen of the smaller air spaces increases. It is important to know why you got the CT scan done and if you have symptoms of any respiratory infection.
2. Though scars can develop in to cancers after many years, minor scars rarely become cancers. If there is a large scar then the small risk persists. In your case I think there is no need to worry about a cancer change in the scar.
3. Scars are permanent and happen due to loss of elasticity if the walls of small air sacs. The elasticity is not regained again.
4. The granuloma is a healed infection with calcification. It is not an active infection. Sometimes granulomas can grow over years.
5. If the dilatation of bronchi is due to an acute infection then it can improve and get cured. However in patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial dilatation is likely persistent.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr.Chail:
Excellent answers:
I have a few more question:
1-Can those minor scars increase in size or do they stay the way they are?
2-Do you think I might have the beginnings of pulmonary fibrosis given I have minor scarring and mild dilatation?
3-I am having cough with yellow mucus now could that be the changing weather? I got the CT scan because I was a smoker for 10 years from 18-28 yrs old and then after 28 yrs old I was a social smoker.
I stopped this year.My dad had lungcancer at 55 and he was a heavy smoker.
So my worry was I might be susceptible to lung malignancies if smoking.
Also in january i had a terrible flu, with heavy painful chest cough where i was spitting brown and bloody mucus, with 40degrees fever.
Could the dilatation be a cause of something to worry about?
Thanks
Excellent answers:
I have a few more question:
1-Can those minor scars increase in size or do they stay the way they are?
2-Do you think I might have the beginnings of pulmonary fibrosis given I have minor scarring and mild dilatation?
3-I am having cough with yellow mucus now could that be the changing weather? I got the CT scan because I was a smoker for 10 years from 18-28 yrs old and then after 28 yrs old I was a social smoker.
I stopped this year.My dad had lungcancer at 55 and he was a heavy smoker.
So my worry was I might be susceptible to lung malignancies if smoking.
Also in january i had a terrible flu, with heavy painful chest cough where i was spitting brown and bloody mucus, with 40degrees fever.
Could the dilatation be a cause of something to worry about?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
The minor scars are unlikely to increase unless there is chronic infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up questions.
1. If you have stopped smoking and get your lung infection treated on time then there will not be any progress of scarring.
2. Pulmonary fibrosis is an extreme condition and is not related to minor scarring and mild bronchial dilatation.
3. You have to take care not to have serious respiratory infections. Please discuss with the pulmonologist and get your lung function tests done in detail. If you had a terrible flu then you should be careful about cough symptoms and get treated promptly. In other words please avoid falling seriously sick with lung infection.
Right now there is no need to worry for the minor scarring or dilatation.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
The minor scars are unlikely to increase unless there is chronic infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up questions.
1. If you have stopped smoking and get your lung infection treated on time then there will not be any progress of scarring.
2. Pulmonary fibrosis is an extreme condition and is not related to minor scarring and mild bronchial dilatation.
3. You have to take care not to have serious respiratory infections. Please discuss with the pulmonologist and get your lung function tests done in detail. If you had a terrible flu then you should be careful about cough symptoms and get treated promptly. In other words please avoid falling seriously sick with lung infection.
Right now there is no need to worry for the minor scarring or dilatation.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you DR.Chail:
Just a few more clear up questions:
1-Do you think that the mild cough I have right now is a lung infection?
with yellow mucus, dry throat?
2-I have not been referred to the pulmonologist?Should I go to a pulmonologist with those findings?
3-Could the minor scarring I have... if it were to increase due to another viral lung infectio....then progress to cancer?
4-What are serious respitatory infections,are they serious for everybody?
5-in january when i was sick the coughing of brown mucus and red bloody mucus, do you think that was the reason why i got those minor scars?was the brown and red mucus are sign i had pneumonia or sth like that?
6-Should I get a flu shot or what could I do prevent respiratory diseases?
Thanks
Just a few more clear up questions:
1-Do you think that the mild cough I have right now is a lung infection?
with yellow mucus, dry throat?
2-I have not been referred to the pulmonologist?Should I go to a pulmonologist with those findings?
3-Could the minor scarring I have... if it were to increase due to another viral lung infectio....then progress to cancer?
4-What are serious respitatory infections,are they serious for everybody?
5-in january when i was sick the coughing of brown mucus and red bloody mucus, do you think that was the reason why i got those minor scars?was the brown and red mucus are sign i had pneumonia or sth like that?
6-Should I get a flu shot or what could I do prevent respiratory diseases?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Taking flu shot regularly will protect you from seasonal cold
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Your cough and yellow mucus is likely due to a throat infection and there are chances the lungs are mildly affected due to the mild bronchial dilatation.
2. If you are having recurrent respiratory infection and as there is mild bronchial dilatation, it will be good if you get an opinion from the pulmonologist.
3. Cancer change in scars does not happen in mild infections and in days. It happens after scarring due to severe lung infection which is usually chronic. It is good that you have stopped smoking.
4. Serious lung infections can be tuberculosis, bacterial infections causing lung abscess and disseminated lung infections. There are serious for every one if not treated on time.
5. Yes that was a severe infection but it has caused mild residual lung changes.
6. Flu shot will prevent respiratory infection due to flu virus and this keeps changing every year due to infection causing different strains of the flu virus. Yes taking a flu shot regularly will prevent flu and this will decrease probability of a secondary bacterial infection. Therefore a flu vaccination will protect you. Avoid exposure to pollution dust and smoke when you get respiratory infections.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Taking flu shot regularly will protect you from seasonal cold
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Your cough and yellow mucus is likely due to a throat infection and there are chances the lungs are mildly affected due to the mild bronchial dilatation.
2. If you are having recurrent respiratory infection and as there is mild bronchial dilatation, it will be good if you get an opinion from the pulmonologist.
3. Cancer change in scars does not happen in mild infections and in days. It happens after scarring due to severe lung infection which is usually chronic. It is good that you have stopped smoking.
4. Serious lung infections can be tuberculosis, bacterial infections causing lung abscess and disseminated lung infections. There are serious for every one if not treated on time.
5. Yes that was a severe infection but it has caused mild residual lung changes.
6. Flu shot will prevent respiratory infection due to flu virus and this keeps changing every year due to infection causing different strains of the flu virus. Yes taking a flu shot regularly will prevent flu and this will decrease probability of a secondary bacterial infection. Therefore a flu vaccination will protect you. Avoid exposure to pollution dust and smoke when you get respiratory infections.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr.Chail:
Thank you for your answers:
I am definitely planning a flu shot!
Question 1:
I live in the UK and its easy to get throat infection,is a throat infection an actual respiratory infection?
Question 2:
What diagnosis would it mean if I have recurrent respiratory infection and mild bronchial dilatation?
Question 3:
In my bloodtest for almost 2 years now I have elevated Vitamin B12 does that anything have to do with the lungs?
Thank you
Ivana
Thank you for your answers:
I am definitely planning a flu shot!
Question 1:
I live in the UK and its easy to get throat infection,is a throat infection an actual respiratory infection?
Question 2:
What diagnosis would it mean if I have recurrent respiratory infection and mild bronchial dilatation?
Question 3:
In my bloodtest for almost 2 years now I have elevated Vitamin B12 does that anything have to do with the lungs?
Thank you
Ivana
Brief Answer:
The throat is continuing in to the trachea and lungs
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Throat infection is an upper respiratory infection. Since the throat is continuous through the trachea in to the lunges therefore it can become a lung infection.
2. You have a mild lower respiratory tract infection or inflammation. This can be called bronchitis with mild pneumonia.
3. There is no significant cause and effect associated with vitamin B12 increase and lung infection.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
The throat is continuing in to the trachea and lungs
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Throat infection is an upper respiratory infection. Since the throat is continuous through the trachea in to the lunges therefore it can become a lung infection.
2. You have a mild lower respiratory tract infection or inflammation. This can be called bronchitis with mild pneumonia.
3. There is no significant cause and effect associated with vitamin B12 increase and lung infection.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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