Chest CT scan interpretation continued...

[ka217]

IMPRESSION:
1. Nonspecific patchy areas of ground-glass opacity predominantly involving the bilateral upper lobes.
2. 5mm or less foci of juxtapleural and parenchymal nodularity bilaterally.
3. Mild mediastinal adenopathy.
4. Collective imaging features remain nonspecific and may be infection/inflammatory in nature. Other etiologies to include sarcoidosis or underlying neoplasm are not definitely excluded given imaging appearance. Recommend pulmonary referral for further evaluation and assessment.

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.  The waiting/worring is driving me crazy!

Kelly

[ShellyC23]

I too had. A CT scan which showed ground glass appearance. Samples taking following broncoscopy found bacteria and calcium in lungs. Had repeat scan this month and see specialist again next week for results

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

The majority of the findings on your CT scan are normal.  The exceptions are the “ground glass” shadows in the upper lobes (“vague patchy areas of ground-glass CT density within the upper lobes bilaterally.”), and the enlargement of lymph nodes in the central part of your chest.  These are non-specific findings and unlikely to be associated with the long time chest pains you have experienced, “for about 5 years.”  There are many possible causes of lymph node enlargement in this part of one’s body.  This is best summarized by Impression #4 below that refers to their being “non-specific”, infection, inflammation and tumor .  What the radiologist is saying is that it is not possible, on the basis of the scan results, to provide a specific diagnosis and what is implied is that it may be necessary to obtain a biopsy of one or more of these nodes.  That is simply because there limits to what even an expert can conclude on the basis of CT findings.  The good news is the existence of all the normal findings listed in this report.

Unfortunately that interpretation, while valid, understandably can provoke a lot of anxiety and I am sorry that you have to experience that.  The best way to deal with that is to arrange to see a pulmonary specialist as soon as possible.  He/she may not be any more specific than the radiologist, regarding the CT findings, but may be able  to offer an opinion as to the most likely cause(s).  One possibility may be the recommendation that no invasive testing be done until you have the results of a repeat CT scan.

Good luck