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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Bronchoscopy Necessary To Remove Nodule In Left Middle Lobe?

pulmonologist suspects atypical form microbacterium by CT scan of chest. friend is on remicade, has RA, and unable to give sputum culture. No other symptoms. Friend never runs fevers. With RA, this person only gets chills. This person has had a RA positive test by blood. Pulmonologist recommends bronchoscopy, with cell washing, and may take a piece (biopsy). There was a 3 mm size nodule in left middle lobe.Question: What are possible outcomes if this person chooses not to have bronchoscopy? Can this person wait for a repeat scan later on, instead?
posted on Mon, 13 Oct 2014
Twitter Sun, 2 Nov 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 3 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I want to ask you few questions
1. Age of your friend
2. Is he smoker
3. What are his symptoms and since how long he is having this.
If your friend is young, non smoker and not having any symptoms than I advice not to go for bronchoscopy at present. You can wait and get done repeat scan after 6 months.
But if he is smoker, old age and symptomatic than , no harm in bronchoscopy and BAL analysis and biopsy.
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Is Bronchoscopy Necessary To Remove Nodule In Left Middle Lobe?

Thanks for your question on HCM. I want to ask you few questions 1. Age of your friend 2. Is he smoker 3. What are his symptoms and since how long he is having this. If your friend is young, non smoker and not having any symptoms than I advice not to go for bronchoscopy at present. You can wait and get done repeat scan after 6 months. But if he is smoker, old age and symptomatic than , no harm in bronchoscopy and BAL analysis and biopsy.