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Interpretation of Chest x-ray Results
I've been having some shortness of breath, reflux and heartburn. I've had a burning/heaviness along my breastbone running vertically where the ribcage meets. I've felt very inarticulate in explaining a host of symptoms to doctors. Each refers me to another and I tend to focus on the symptoms within the doctor's specialty when I go to the office, fogetting about or subconciously minimizing the others. I hae all "new" doctors as I'm not typically ill and haven't been to a doctor in over ten years until the last ten months. Symptoms have included the above along with excessive and embarassing gas and bloating, "heart beating in my ears" when I climb steps,achy joints, head aches, sinus aches, a sensation that I need to clear my throat, but no difficulty swallowing, and night sweats*. (*I think I may be menopausal based upon the "hotflashes" and heavy flows, followed by recent missed periods. Gyn appointment to follow)
Cardiac and blood tests revealed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cholesterol in the aorta. Stress test showed elevation of blood pressure and shortness of breath excessive for the work performed. Otherwise, the echocardiogram and blood gasses were within tolerable limits. Medications were begun to treat the hbp and high LDLs. Since then, here has been some decrease in the sensation of hearing my heart beating, but not too much improvement in the shortness of breath which was pretty much attributed to deconditioning. Most notably, though, my gastro symptoms did not seem to improve much even when on a pump inhibitor.
GI Dr. referred me for ultrasounds of abdomen and pelvis, as well as a chest x ray. Endoscopy and colonoscopy are scheduled, as well. There is a strong family history of both heart disease and colon cancer. Some issues appeared on each of the recent imaging results and I am not sure of the interrelationship, if any.
The ultrsounds do not seem to be terribly problematic. The abdominal ultrasound revealed that I have a small polyp on the gall bladder,, The transvaginal ultrasound report suggests follow-up assessment in 2-3 months for the "small hydroechoic complex focus" and "small hydrospalinx" . The "complex focus" was characterized as requiring follow-up since it "is not a simple cyst or follicle". What is the significance of this terminology.?
Still, I remain most concerned by the call from the doctor's office called requesting that I have the chest xray repeated, as per the radiologist's recommendation, due to minimal density in the right upper lobe. The doctor was not in when the office called and the assistant recommended that I speak to the radiologist. Upon my return to the imaging center, the radiologist who read my original film was not in. I called my GP who also received a report. You guessed it: not in!
The language in the report is vague to me....a vascular arrangement that comes together can mean anything to me ! Can anyone interpret what all this could mean? How concerned should I be while I wait out the long weekend to speak with a doctor on Monday or recive the report from the follow-up chest x ray??
Relative to the lungs, the chest xray report reads:
There is minimal density in the right upper lobe laterally. This is probably confluent vasculature. Consider follow-up with PA and shallow oblique views to further assess this questionable finding. The lungs are otherwise clear. There is no pleural effusion and no evidence of hilar or mediastinal mass. Vascularity appears normal.
I'm assuming " PA" is "pulmonary assessment" and not "public address" system or "pennsylvania"..haha. Or, is it something entirely different? I've had the repeated xray and await the results. Any idea what they are expecting to see in the second x ray? What does "normal" vascularity mean in light of the former finding/comment that there is "confluent vasculature"? Is "minimal density" a way of stating the density of the lung tissue is minimal or less than it should be, or does it mean there has been some thickening or increased density above the norm, but minimally??
I'm pretty sure pneumonitis is not suspected because eosinophils on recent blood testing was normal. Actually, the complete metabolic panel was normal, the lipid panel was as described above and the Rheumatoid factor was within range, as well.
Any advice/insights would be appreciated. The stomach churning and heartburn has begun and is likely to last until I have some minimal insight.
Cardiac and blood tests revealed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cholesterol in the aorta. Stress test showed elevation of blood pressure and shortness of breath excessive for the work performed. Otherwise, the echocardiogram and blood gasses were within tolerable limits. Medications were begun to treat the hbp and high LDLs. Since then, here has been some decrease in the sensation of hearing my heart beating, but not too much improvement in the shortness of breath which was pretty much attributed to deconditioning. Most notably, though, my gastro symptoms did not seem to improve much even when on a pump inhibitor.
GI Dr. referred me for ultrasounds of abdomen and pelvis, as well as a chest x ray. Endoscopy and colonoscopy are scheduled, as well. There is a strong family history of both heart disease and colon cancer. Some issues appeared on each of the recent imaging results and I am not sure of the interrelationship, if any.
The ultrsounds do not seem to be terribly problematic. The abdominal ultrasound revealed that I have a small polyp on the gall bladder,, The transvaginal ultrasound report suggests follow-up assessment in 2-3 months for the "small hydroechoic complex focus" and "small hydrospalinx" . The "complex focus" was characterized as requiring follow-up since it "is not a simple cyst or follicle". What is the significance of this terminology.?
Still, I remain most concerned by the call from the doctor's office called requesting that I have the chest xray repeated, as per the radiologist's recommendation, due to minimal density in the right upper lobe. The doctor was not in when the office called and the assistant recommended that I speak to the radiologist. Upon my return to the imaging center, the radiologist who read my original film was not in. I called my GP who also received a report. You guessed it: not in!
The language in the report is vague to me....a vascular arrangement that comes together can mean anything to me ! Can anyone interpret what all this could mean? How concerned should I be while I wait out the long weekend to speak with a doctor on Monday or recive the report from the follow-up chest x ray??
Relative to the lungs, the chest xray report reads:
There is minimal density in the right upper lobe laterally. This is probably confluent vasculature. Consider follow-up with PA and shallow oblique views to further assess this questionable finding. The lungs are otherwise clear. There is no pleural effusion and no evidence of hilar or mediastinal mass. Vascularity appears normal.
I'm assuming " PA" is "pulmonary assessment" and not "public address" system or "pennsylvania"..haha. Or, is it something entirely different? I've had the repeated xray and await the results. Any idea what they are expecting to see in the second x ray? What does "normal" vascularity mean in light of the former finding/comment that there is "confluent vasculature"? Is "minimal density" a way of stating the density of the lung tissue is minimal or less than it should be, or does it mean there has been some thickening or increased density above the norm, but minimally??
I'm pretty sure pneumonitis is not suspected because eosinophils on recent blood testing was normal. Actually, the complete metabolic panel was normal, the lipid panel was as described above and the Rheumatoid factor was within range, as well.
Any advice/insights would be appreciated. The stomach churning and heartburn has begun and is likely to last until I have some minimal insight.
I'm new , I've just had xray for decreased vocal sounds in left lung I find it hard to get a full breath I have pain in shoulder dull ache in back and on off cough, I've had 4 chest infections in a short space of time ,what could be the problem
i forgot to ask you in my last reply....did u have any bloodwork done if so was ur biliruben raised? if so, prob gall bladder for sure--also make sure they check ur vitamin d levels, another sign of gbd and also if ur low can cause all kinds of strange pains and aches....
Im no Dr, so im def interested to see what the tests reveal. But, form my opinion, it seems you may have some gall bladder disease, they will prob recommend taking it out due to polyps and find its diseased then. most if not all of ur symptoms suggest that. as far ur xrays/imagaing--ur chest looks pretty good. the thickinging is a sign of good or bad-in this case not thick is what you want...and have. shallow views or density only means the waves/imaging procedure didnt penetrate deep enough for a good look. please, keep me updated....I had these same things and was my outcome, but every body reacts differently and it could be something totally different for you. good luck on ur ultra sound and ill have my fingers crossed for you!
and try even tho i know its not easy-but just try to not worry so much for now unless they give u a reason to.
and try even tho i know its not easy-but just try to not worry so much for now unless they give u a reason to.
This is a question that would be better asked in the doctor's forum side for respiratory disorders. I'm really not certain. Your shortness of breath can also be due to LPR its a form of GERD, but the acid/contents of the stomach are refluxed past both valves reaching your vocal chords region. As this tissue is more sensitive to the acid compared to the esophagus, it would only require one or two reflux events a day to do damage. Hence the excessive mucous production on the vocal chords, throat area. Some of the symptoms can include throat clearing, cough, shortness of breath (especially if aspirated into lungs) and pneumonia. Anyway, have a look at it online. It requires twice a day medicating as opposed to once a day for GERD. Perhaps that's why you're not getting the symptom relief that you're expecting. It's something that you can discuss with your doctor. As for your x-ray, and low density, I would think that means your lacking lung tissue? I think further tests would have to be done to determine if there is anything there to be concerned about. Again best left with the specialists. That's about all I can offer.
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