CT Scans

[RandyL]

Today was a weird day. I read about Karilynn's BIL and how the scan he got was by accident and had bad news and then another scan proved all is well.

Anyways I got my CT Scan back today also. While in the hospital for my OHS they did a CT Scan which was heart related and found a nodule in my lung. Well, everybody forget about that little Node since there were more pressing issues at the time.I don't know what to make of this CT Scan, it looks like I am falling apart inside. Anybody want to take a stab at making an opinion. My directions from my PCP by phone was to find a good Pulmonologist.

Here it is, I am bearing my insides for all to see.

There are some atherosclerotic calcifications in the thoracic aorta. There is a low-attenuation lesion in the medial segment of the hepatic lobe which measures 1.8 X 2.0 cm. It has an attenuation measurement of 20 HU. A low-attenuation lesion in the upper pole of the left kidney measures 8 mm. No mediastinal or hilar adenopathy is identified. There are a few subpleural blebs near the lung apices. Several small pleural-based nodules are seen adjacent to the minor fissure on the right and these probably represent bejnign pleural lymph nodes rather than parenchymal nodules. They measure 3mm, 3mm, and 4mm respectively on images 2/32 and 2/33.

There is a left lower lobe nodule on image 3/43 which measures 5 mm in diameter.Minimal scar or atelectasis is seen in the left upper lobe on image 2/30.

Conclusion:
1. Left Lower lobe nodule. Follow up recommended.
2. Tiny nodules in the right lung are probably pleural lymph nodes and likely are not significant.
3. Mild emphysema
4. Atherosclerotic calcifications.
5. Possible cysts in the liver and left kidney. Sonographic correlation recommended.

 

[Phyllis]

Randy,
I have to agree with your pcp and hopefully further tests will find all benign and nothing to worry about!

 

[bvdr]

Randy, I'm not sure of the significance of some of the findings. I've got a probable cyst in the "lower pole of the right kidney" and no one has even mentioned it one way or another so I figure it is not a problem. I think you have some other things that really need investigation though. I hope your PCP is making a referral for you and not just leaving it up to you to find a good pulmonary specialist! I wouldn't sit on it though since if by chance something has been unearthed then the earlier tacked the better. Had you ever had any previous scans to compare this one to? I

 

[RandyL]

Randy, I'm not sure of the significance of some of the findings. I've got a probable cyst in the "lower pole of the right kidney" and no one has even mentioned it one way or another so I figure it is not a problem. I think you have some other things that really need investigation though. I hope your PCP is making a referral for you and not just leaving it up to you to find a good pulmonary specialist! I wouldn't sit on it though since if by chance something has been unearthed then the earlier tacked the better. Had you ever had any previous scans to compare this one to? I

Yes.
I got one in Febuary so its been almost a year to compare with.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Hi Randy:

I shared rather similar findings with a good pulmonologist (uncle ): "Bilateral apical scarring and minimal dependent bibasilar atelectasis. There is a 3mm right upper lobe pulmonary nodule as well as a 3mm left lower lobe nodule adjacent to the major fissure. No enlarged mediastinal or axillary lymph nodes....In the upper pole of the left kidney, there is a 1.4 x 1 cm exophytic low attenuation lesion with measure above water attenuation. Therefore, it cannot be classified as a simple renal cyst and may represent a solid lesion or a complicated cyst." He said that all of these things were common findings and nothing to be concerned about. I don't share your hepatic lesion, but that wouldn't be something to send you to a pulmonologist about--you could probably ask about the "sonographic correlation recommendation" though. I suspect the emphysema is the primary concern and, hopefully, the pulmonologist will ease your mind about the other things.

All the best.

 

[RandyL]

I believe the left lower lobe nodule was what made my pcp send me to a polmologist for.

 

[tobagotwo]

Nothing there that isn't most likely to be benign, with the exception of the emphysema. You absolutely should get the other anomalies checked, but the likelihood is that they will just wind up making you feel relieved. I hate tests, too. They always make you wait over a weekend for results, because they aren't allowed a drum roll when they announce them.

Emphesyma can be kept low-key for a very long time these days, especially for someone who's not aggravating it with tobacco tars. They have some new drugs for it, I understand.

Best wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

My BIL has mild emphysema as well, but that wasn't news to him. He has been seeing a pulmonologist since this summer for his sleep apnea. All I can contribute is that my sister (the nurse) said his CT scan report scared the crap out of her and she was expecting pretty grim news on Monday (and yes - they had to wait the weekend).

Get it checked out - but try not to borrow trouble.

 

[RandyL]

Get it checked out - but try not to borrow trouble.

Thanks Karlynn. I never heard that saying before.

 

[BDMc]

Hope

Hope

Randy, I hope you get the tests soon, and that they bring relief! Wishing you the best, Brian

 

[Ross]

Really, get it looked into. You don't want to end up like me. It stinks bigtime.