lung nodule

[triker]

I was hosp. for asthmatic bronchitis 2 wks ago.CT scan of my chest =multiple nodular densities in the mediastinum,prominent  bilateral hilar lymph nodes,small 1.5 cm/8mm nodular density in lateral aspect of left lung base.Thoracic suegeon says may se sarcoidosis,but density in lung base was present on 2001 chest x-ray and has gotten a little bigger.Please help with this terminology,will see MD in 2 wks.He doesn't feel there is a mediacal rush.But I am VERY worried.Any help appreciated.Thank you,triker

[National Jewish]

A nodule is usually a small, round shadow seen on chest x-ray anywhere in the lungs.  Nodules are due to infections, inflammation, or tumors.  Since a chest CT scan is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray the shape, smoothness, and density of the nodule will be seen.  Usually this helps in determining what this could be.  I would not be worried if the nodule in the lateral aspect of your left lung base strongly resembles the other nodules except for size.  It is good that your chest x-ray from 2001 has been compared with your most recent.  If the nodule has not doubled in size since 2001, it is highly unlikely to be cancer.  Since the nodule has gotten a little bigger since 2001, your doctor may recommend more testing to know what this could be.  There is no medical reason to rush, but your peace of mind is certainly a reason to rush.

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes small clusters of inflammation, called granulomas.  The granulomas can occur in any area of the body, but are most often found in the lungs, lymph nodes, eyes, and skin.  However sarcoidosis usually effects only the lungs.  When sarcoidosis effects the lungs, it can cause enlarged hilar lymph nodes.  These lymph nodes are in the upper middle area of the lungs.  In fact, enlargement of the hilar lymph nodes is the most common finding when sarcoidosis effects the lungs.  Lymphadenopathy is another term for enlarged lymph nodes.  So hilar lymphadenopathy is another way of saying the lymph nodes in the upper middle area of the lungs are enlarged.  When the inflammation occurs in the lungs it may show up as cloudy areas on the CT scan.  The CT scan results that you have listed sound like sarcoidosis.

[SarcSurvivor]

Triker,

The results you posted do sound like sarcoidosis. Also, breathing problems resulting from sarcoidosis can be misdiagnosed as asthma. Sarcoidosis is diagnosed by excluding other possibilities (cancer, lymphoma, infection and TB, for instance), and it has taken months or years for some patients to get a correct diagnosis.

If you would like to know more about sarcoidosis, I suggest you visit the site at www.sarcinfo.com. There is a lot of helpful information there, and a forum where you can ask questions of people with experience with this chronic disease.

[triker]

Thanks so much for your response.I called my MD today and have an appt for Wed.I just couldn't wait for 2 wks.Thanks again,Triker