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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
mediastinal lymph nodes enlarged
Answered by
MN
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
mediastinal lymph nodes enlarged
by thomw, May 10, 2008 03:04PM
Hi sorry to bother you. I just had a ct scan and the doctors findings said this.
Scattered mediastinal lymph nodes are noted. The largest of these is in the right paratracheal region and measures 1.9 cm in diameter. No hilar adenopathy is noted.
is this something to be concerned about and what would you suggest for me to ask or request from my doctor.
Scattered mediastinal lymph nodes are noted. The largest of these is in the right paratracheal region and measures 1.9 cm in diameter. No hilar adenopathy is noted.
is this something to be concerned about and what would you suggest for me to ask or request from my doctor.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 15, 2008 03:32PM
, May 15, 2008 03:32PM
Mediastinal lymph node enlargement, especially anterior mediastinal lymph node enlargement, is the most common x-ray manifestation of Hodgkin's disease. That does not mean that that is your diagnosis – only that it should be considered in the differential diagnosis and, perhaps most important, that Hodgkin's disease is a treatable, curable disease. Whatever the cause of the lymph node enlargement, a tissue diagnosis will be required.
You should ask your doctor what diagnoses should be considered, given these CT findings and his/her recommendation of the least invasive diagnostic procedure likely to provide an accurate diagnosis. Depending on the distribution of the nodes, mediastinoscopy might be the procedure of choice. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is generally considered inadequate for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's, but there are reports of percutaneous CT-guided biopsy being both useful and reliable. This decision should, to a large degree, be based upon the experience of your physicians.
Good luck.
You should ask your doctor what diagnoses should be considered, given these CT findings and his/her recommendation of the least invasive diagnostic procedure likely to provide an accurate diagnosis. Depending on the distribution of the nodes, mediastinoscopy might be the procedure of choice. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is generally considered inadequate for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's, but there are reports of percutaneous CT-guided biopsy being both useful and reliable. This decision should, to a large degree, be based upon the experience of your physicians.
Good luck.
Member Comments (2)
by NurseRatched, May 15, 2008 10:23PM
To: thomw
I've had a chest CT last Friday that incidentally showed mild mediastinal adenopathy and enlarged subcarinal and paratracheal lymph nodes. I also have a 2.5 mm nodule in the RML of my lung. My PCP has referred me to a pulmonologist but that appointment is not until June 10. The answer posted for you has helped me somewhat and confirmed what search engines are pulling off the internet. My primary care physician told me today that he wanted to develop a banner for the search engines to display at the top of each page in large letters "IT MIGHT BE NOTHING!" I'm a nurse so that does not help things any. Sometimes we know just enough to scare us to death! Best of luck to you.
