Liver lesions, among other things!

[BLF]

I have had GI symptoms since the beginning of the year. The most recent barium swallow noted I had esophageal spasms.  I also had a CT scan in March which revealed several things I am not sure of. 1. A peripheral or subpleural nodule seen within the left lower lobe of my lung.
2. Several well-circumscribed low-attenuation mass lesions seen within the liver.
3. Fibroids. Also noted pedunculated fibroids arising from the fundus .
4. There are several somewhat nodular or rounded filling defects seen within the ascending colon that is probably just retained fecal material. Coexistent polyps would be difficult to exclude, but most of these filling the defects would be unlikely to represent polypoid formation.

I have had symptoms of early satiety, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, EXTREME fatigue, low back pain which sometimes goes into my legs. If I sit very long I am SOOO stiff I can hardly walk. I also cannot stand in one place for long without back pain.  My aunt on my mother's side died of ovarian cancer.
I wanted a CA-125 done,but doctors unwilling to run it.

Newest CT scan done 9/28/07 stated; 1. a tiny left subpleural lung nodule in the visualized bases.
2. 2 hypodense small lesions within the right liver. They seem to think they are benighn biliary hematomas vs.cyst.
3. Physiologic adnexal cysts (I think they mean these to be on my ovaries)
4. Calcified fibroid/ also a larger fibroid is present but is smaller than on previous exam.

Can you give me any insight into any of this madness?? My symptoms have not gotten any better.

Thank you in advance.

[tianini]

Hi! I tried sending a reply, but not sure if you got it. So at the chance of being redundant...I too have had CT scans, where "hypodensity within the right lobe of
the liver" (last year's CT scan) and small nodular density within the right lower lobe of my lung was found (this was last week).
This is the reply that I got from askwebmd:

"Thanks for posing the question to just answer! I hope I can help!
The first thing I want to do is make you aware that the doctors that read the images of Xrays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc are radiologists. They often have little background information about the patient, and try to work backwards from the pictures to figure out what is going on. Thus, they will often list several different differentials (or options) for what a finding is on an exam.
For the first part of your inquiry, "small subtle hypodensity within the right lobe of
the liver on image #7 that measures only 6 mm in diameter and is consistent with a cyst or hemangioma. A metastasis is less likely." A hypodensity on CT scan just means any areas that is less dense than the rest of the area that they are looking at. It is just a description of the intesity of gray color that the image presents. A cyst of hemangioma (birth irregularity where a localized tissue mass grows rich in small blood vessels) will look indistiguishable, since they are both filled with fluid. Most radiologists will not venture to distinguish water from blood. Both of these are generally benign, and are actually really common in the general population. Hemangiomas are actually found in up to 8% of people at autopsy. It is possible that a cyst can rupture, or a hemangioma bleed, but it is quite rare. A metastasis is a focus of cancer that has its primary location elsewhere. If you have no history of cancer, then this again should not be of concern. Again, remember, the radiology does not know your history, so he/she has to put all the possible diagnosis to make a complete report.
The next part was "There''s a small nodular density within the right lower lobe. There is adjacent mild prominent vessel. This may reflect a small pulmonary vascular malformation, However, follow-up is recommended. No pleural effusions." A pulmonary vascular malformation is another very common finding that is generally benign. Generally arteriovenous malformations are blood vessel defects that occur before birth when the fetus is growing in the uterus. The blood vessels appear as a tangled mass of arteries and veins that do not possess the capillary (very fine blood vessels) bed which normally where the arteries and veins lie in close proximity. These are often a finding on CT scan that is just incidental. Unless you are exhibitng symptoms such as pain, coughing up blood or shortness of breath, it is probably nothing to worry about."

Even though I got this really wonderful advice, I know I still have to follow up with my doctor this Friday. I truly hope and pray that you also happen to be a benefactor of all of the wonderful and ingenious technology and only fall victim to a bunch of superfluous medical lingo. Take care!
Sincerely,
Tianini