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Why Is A CT Scan Done For Lung Nodules?
Question: Hi,
I had a follow up CT Scan after 6 moths for 3 small lung nodules and a small nodule on near my distal esophagus. Everything came back stable with no change and the radiologist stated that the "lung nodules are compatible with scars" and "The small 0.6 x 0.6 nodule adjacent to distal esophagus is stable since prior exam and likely a small lymph node or structure related to the diaphragm."
Seems good news, but my doctor still said she want me to have one more CT scan in one years time to just check on the small nodule on the diaphragm/distal esophagus.
My questions are:
1. Why would she feel the need to follow up on that stable nodule?
2. She said she just wants to make sure it doesn't change, but why is she not worried about the lung nodules changing?
3. What is she concerned about with this nodule? The radiologist didn't suggest any follow-up.
4. What other things could this small nodule be if it were to change?
5. would you also suggest another CT to check and why?
Thanks very much for your help in advance.
Thx,
XXXX
I had a follow up CT Scan after 6 moths for 3 small lung nodules and a small nodule on near my distal esophagus. Everything came back stable with no change and the radiologist stated that the "lung nodules are compatible with scars" and "The small 0.6 x 0.6 nodule adjacent to distal esophagus is stable since prior exam and likely a small lymph node or structure related to the diaphragm."
Seems good news, but my doctor still said she want me to have one more CT scan in one years time to just check on the small nodule on the diaphragm/distal esophagus.
My questions are:
1. Why would she feel the need to follow up on that stable nodule?
2. She said she just wants to make sure it doesn't change, but why is she not worried about the lung nodules changing?
3. What is she concerned about with this nodule? The radiologist didn't suggest any follow-up.
4. What other things could this small nodule be if it were to change?
5. would you also suggest another CT to check and why?
Thanks very much for your help in advance.
Thx,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
you should get follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to healthcare Magic!
The enlarged lymph nodes may be due to past infection like TB or histoplasmosis or malignancy.
Your clinician may be worried that it may not be the thing of past only.
Sometimes infections may get reactivated after a quiescent period. That is why she has advised for a reevaluation after a year.
Mostly clinicians select largest and doubtful and newly appeared nodules for follow up.
If in review they increase in size it may need suitable antimicrobial treatment if suggestive of infection or sampling for final diagnosis.
I agree with her that you should get it evaluated after a year.
I hope the advise would be informative and useful for you.
Take Care!
you should get follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome to healthcare Magic!
The enlarged lymph nodes may be due to past infection like TB or histoplasmosis or malignancy.
Your clinician may be worried that it may not be the thing of past only.
Sometimes infections may get reactivated after a quiescent period. That is why she has advised for a reevaluation after a year.
Mostly clinicians select largest and doubtful and newly appeared nodules for follow up.
If in review they increase in size it may need suitable antimicrobial treatment if suggestive of infection or sampling for final diagnosis.
I agree with her that you should get it evaluated after a year.
I hope the advise would be informative and useful for you.
Take Care!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you for your reply.
Do you mean it could have been malignant in the past?
Do you mean it could have been malignant in the past?
Brief Answer:
some malignancies may be deceptively static
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
No, malignancies usually do not go by themselves but some malignancies maye be so slow growing that they may appear static for a short duration and then may spurt.
So such lesions should be followed with clinial assessment and imaging.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
some malignancies may be deceptively static
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
No, malignancies usually do not go by themselves but some malignancies maye be so slow growing that they may appear static for a short duration and then may spurt.
So such lesions should be followed with clinial assessment and imaging.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Considering this node seems to be within normal size perameters and was stable why do you think they want to watch this one?
Since I have no other symptoms do you think the chances are slim that it could be malignant?
Thanks again for your time.
Since I have no other symptoms do you think the chances are slim that it could be malignant?
Thanks again for your time.
Brief Answer:
due to serious nature follow up recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
You are right, chances of malignancy are pretty thin but due to serious nature of the possibility I would prefer a reevaluation as has been already planned by your clinician.
I hope the discussion will guide you through.
due to serious nature follow up recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back.
You are right, chances of malignancy are pretty thin but due to serious nature of the possibility I would prefer a reevaluation as has been already planned by your clinician.
I hope the discussion will guide you through.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
Should I be worried about the radiation from the CT Scans? When I'm tested in a years time that will be 3 I have had.
Should I be worried about the radiation from the CT Scans? When I'm tested in a years time that will be 3 I have had.
Brief Answer:
CT scan not proven to be detrimental
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Radiation is not a significant health issue in such matters.
Diagnosis is more important and it should not deter you from any further imaging.
There is hardly any evidence that CT scan exposures increase mortality.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
CT scan not proven to be detrimental
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Radiation is not a significant health issue in such matters.
Diagnosis is more important and it should not deter you from any further imaging.
There is hardly any evidence that CT scan exposures increase mortality.
I hope the advise will be helpful for you.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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