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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
What is the meaning of infiltrate?
Answered by
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What is the meaning of infiltrate?
by Buick34, Mar 18, 2004 12:00AM
Included in the findings from my recent chest x-ray (taken because of chronic cough) was “demonstrate a somewhat patchy linear opacity in the right middle lobe which may represent atelectasis or infiltrate. “
I have found much information regarding atelectasis, but am puzzled by “infiltrate.” What does this indicate?
Also, my plans had been to travel across the country by plane in the next two weeks. Is this a bad idea?
I have found much information regarding atelectasis, but am puzzled by “infiltrate.” What does this indicate?
Also, my plans had been to travel across the country by plane in the next two weeks. Is this a bad idea?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
On your chest x-ray a shadow is being seen in the right middle lobe. This could be due to atelectasis or infiltrate. Atelectasis is an area of the lung that is not receiving air. This is often referred to as a collapsed area of the lung. An infiltrate indicates that a biological substance generally not found in the lung has snuck in and now resides there. This could be caused by any of a number of lung diseases. Pneumonia is one example. You will need to check with your doctor to know what would be causing your infiltrate and the best treatment. A chest CT scan is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray, so this may be the next test that is done.
This does not create any health risk to traveling across the country by plane.
This does not create any health risk to traveling across the country by plane.
Member Comments (2)
by Buick34, Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
Thanks very much for your exlanation.
by Meredithmil, Sep 10, 2008 11:14PM
A related discussion, Explanation & Treatment was started.
by flourchild47, Apr 21, 2009 01:01PM
A related discussion, left lwer lobe infiltrate was started.
