another CT after 5 years

[tommy 2 tone]

I am a 57 yo male with a hx of COPD, and asthma,and I am also Hiv + just found out last Aug.I had been being treated by a pmc for 10 years,and had several consultations with pulmonologist,a few months ago I had to start going to a Infectious disease clinic at the university,and had a consult with a new Pumonary Dr. So I took past xrays,and a CT of chest that was done in 2001 5 years ago,and this Pulmonologist,came back and said he sees a nodule in my Left lung,and wants me to get a CT of chest again,I had several Chest Xrays after this CT in 2001,My question is why didn't the radiologist at that time say anything,and if he did it would have been to Dr. who said that the CT was fine. This Dr. did say the Xrays that were done after the CT,showed nothing except COPD,I also suffer from depression and this has me having panic attacks.I have a tendency to worry.Thanks

[National Jewish]

It is hard to say why something was said or not said 6 years ago, especially without seeing the films.  It is best to have a repeat CT scan to see if the nodule is still there and if it is, whether it has changed in size.

[copyman]

sometimes very small nodules will not show up on regular xrays but ct will pick them up. if the ct report states the size and it is 10mm or less then it is likely to be benign.  if it would have gotten bigger the xrays after the ct would have showed it. since it has been 5 yrs then maybe you should have the ct just to put your mind at ease. try and relax i think you have nothing to worry about. best of luck

[tommy 2 tone]

I had a CT of chest a week ago and have not heard anything from the Dr.,who ordered it,and was told no news is good news. Does anyone know what the process is,the radiologist has obviously looked at the x-ray,and if anything was wrong he would call the MD who ordered the test correct? And I would have heard something by now correct.