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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Chronic Cough. Chest X-ray Done. Patchy Opacity Seen. Pulmonary Function Test Normal. Should I Be Worried?

I'm a 32 yr old male, healthy, non-smoker.

I had a chronic cough since I had a virus/flu 8 month ago. It's been on and off. No other symptoms except for a cough.

My chest x ray said: "patchy opacity seen in the right middle lobe, no significant pleural effusion, cardiac silhouette is normal size, visualized osseous structures unremarkable. IMPRESSION: RIGHT MIDDLE LOBE INFILTRATE. FOLLOWUP ADVISED TO EXCLUDE AN UNDERLYING LESION. My Doctor sent me for a CT Scan with contrast.

Pulmonary Function Test was normal.

Now awaiting CT scan results..... I'm terrified. Can you tell me if I should worry about anything terminal?
posted on Mon, 21 Oct 2013
Twitter Mon, 21 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 21 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Hi, Thanks for your question at healthcare magic
I do understand your anxiety.
Right middle lobe infiltrate could mean a localized bacterial or viral infection of the lungs. But what is the nature of the disease can be accurately decided once your CT scan is done and studied thoroughly. Right now there is no reason that you should think about the worst. In case of any abnormality in Chest X-ray which cannot give detail information, it routine that doctors go for CT Chest to get more detail about the disease. So right now be positive and hope for the best
Wishing you best wishes
Take care
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Chronic Cough. Chest X-ray Done. Patchy Opacity Seen. Pulmonary Function Test Normal. Should I Be Worried?

Hi, Thanks for your question at healthcare magic I do understand your anxiety. Right middle lobe infiltrate could mean a localized bacterial or viral infection of the lungs. But what is the nature of the disease can be accurately decided once your CT scan is done and studied thoroughly. Right now there is no reason that you should think about the worst. In case of any abnormality in Chest X-ray which cannot give detail information, it routine that doctors go for CT Chest to get more detail about the disease. So right now be positive and hope for the best Wishing you best wishes Take care