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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
questions on ct scan
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questions on ct scan
by klara38, Dec 14, 2006 12:00AM
Hello,
I recently had a chest ct scan done because of mild pain in upper right chest for 2 years. It reads:
1. patchy nonspecific areas of pleural based density in posterior hemithorax on each side that I suspect are related to dependent atelectatic changes. Small pleural plaques cannot be excluded.
What is dependent Atelectatic Changes?
2. There is a small 5mm spiculated nodule in right apex that appears to have central lucency. There is other more benign appearing fibronodular scarring in both apices.
I know this is very small, I'm a little concerned about the "Spiculated" description, from what I have read this is more likely cancer. They are suggesting a follow up 6mos to confirm stability. What do you think about this?
I'm a 38yr old woman, nonsmoker.
Thank you very much for your time.
I recently had a chest ct scan done because of mild pain in upper right chest for 2 years. It reads:
1. patchy nonspecific areas of pleural based density in posterior hemithorax on each side that I suspect are related to dependent atelectatic changes. Small pleural plaques cannot be excluded.
What is dependent Atelectatic Changes?
2. There is a small 5mm spiculated nodule in right apex that appears to have central lucency. There is other more benign appearing fibronodular scarring in both apices.
I know this is very small, I'm a little concerned about the "Spiculated" description, from what I have read this is more likely cancer. They are suggesting a follow up 6mos to confirm stability. What do you think about this?
I'm a 38yr old woman, nonsmoker.
Thank you very much for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 18, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 18, 2006 12:00AM
Atelectasis is defined as diminished air in the lung, along with decreased lung volume. Dependent atelectasis is short-hand for gravity-dependent atelectasis. It is related to the mechanical properties of the lung. It is not a sign of a specific problem. For that matter, when dependent atelectasis occurs on both sides of the lung it is not even an indicator of disease.
Pleural plaques are scars of the pleura, a very thin membrane that covers the lung. The most common cause of these is asbestosis. These should be watched, at least for a couple years, at 6 to 12 month intervals.
You are correct about spiculation being one of the characteristics that make a nodule more likely to be cancer, even when the nodule is small, being less than 2 centimeters in diameter. Yet the likelihood of lung cancer in a non-smoker, your age, is small. The suggestion that you wait 6 months to repeat the scan is reasonable. Given your understandable anxiety, however, you might ask if the first repeat scan be done at 3 months. Although, in truth, 3 months is a short period to expect any change.
If this is a cancer, it has been identified at a very early stage. The odds of cure, with surgical removal, would be very much in your favor. It is unlikely that a lesion this size is related to your chronic chest pain.
Pleural plaques are scars of the pleura, a very thin membrane that covers the lung. The most common cause of these is asbestosis. These should be watched, at least for a couple years, at 6 to 12 month intervals.
You are correct about spiculation being one of the characteristics that make a nodule more likely to be cancer, even when the nodule is small, being less than 2 centimeters in diameter. Yet the likelihood of lung cancer in a non-smoker, your age, is small. The suggestion that you wait 6 months to repeat the scan is reasonable. Given your understandable anxiety, however, you might ask if the first repeat scan be done at 3 months. Although, in truth, 3 months is a short period to expect any change.
If this is a cancer, it has been identified at a very early stage. The odds of cure, with surgical removal, would be very much in your favor. It is unlikely that a lesion this size is related to your chronic chest pain.
it would be easy to say to you, don't worry (for the next 6 months) but hard for you to actually do!! Good luck.
Irish65 Thank you for your encourgement. I also said a prayer for you. Good luck with everything.