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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Confusion about the need for X Rays
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Confusion about the need for X Rays
by redsizzle, Nov 26, 2004 12:00AM
I have a concern about my mother. Please note that she has been a smoker for most of her life and she is 72 years old. About 1 1/2 months ago she was diagnosed with pneumonia for which she was given antibiotics. After reviewing the chest X Rays, the Primary Physician treating was concerned about some small spots on her lungs, so he asked for a CAT scan.
After the CAT scan, and being that my mother also had a bout with pneumonia 5 years ago, the Primary Physician asked that her most recent X rays taken(about 2 years old from a hospital stay after colon surgery) be compared to those taken 1 1/2 months ago by a Radiologist. I'm assuming this was done to rule out the spots being scarring from the previous pneumonia.
The Radiologist confirmed that the compared X rays had shown differences and had "changed". That being said, the Primary Physician has now asked for another set of X rays.
My confusion stems from the Doctor asking for another set of X Rays to be taken. Wouldn't the CAT scan provide a more clear representation of what is going on with her lungs? Her concern, naturally, that the spots may in fact be cancer.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 02, 2004 12:00AM
, Dec 02, 2004 12:00AM
Ask the radiologist if the appearance of the spots on the CT scan suggests or excludes any problems. The request for a repeat chest x-ray is probably because the doctor is looking for signs of progression. Sometimes a CT scan is not needed to see change. If the chest x-ray is the same as 1.5 months ago, it may be necessary to repeat the CT scan.
If the primary physician is not a pulmonologist, consultation with a pulmonologist should be sought. Newly developed spots could be cancer. However, they could also be due to infection during the past couple years.
If the primary physician is not a pulmonologist, consultation with a pulmonologist should be sought. Newly developed spots could be cancer. However, they could also be due to infection during the past couple years.
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