What does an abnormal chest X-ray indicate. How are chest X-rays and CT scans used in diagnosis. What conditions can be detected through chest imaging. When should you seek further evaluation for an abnormal chest scan.

The Basics of Chest Imaging: X-Rays and CT Scans

Chest imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring various respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Two common types of chest scans are X-rays and CT (computed tomography) scans. Let’s explore the differences between these imaging techniques and their applications.

What is a Chest X-Ray?

A chest X-ray is a quick, painless diagnostic test that uses electromagnetic waves to produce images of the structures within and around your chest. This includes your lungs, heart, blood vessels, airways, and bones of the chest and spine.

• Fast and non-invasive procedure
• Provides a 2D image of chest structures
• Widely used as an initial screening tool
• Effective for detecting many common chest conditions

What is a Chest CT Scan?

A chest CT scan, or computed tomography scan, is a more advanced imaging technique that uses X-ray technology combined with computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the chest.

• Produces high-resolution 3D images
• Offers more detailed views of chest structures
• Can detect smaller abnormalities than X-rays
• Often used as a follow-up to abnormal chest X-rays

Common Reasons for Ordering Chest Imaging

Healthcare providers may recommend chest imaging for various reasons, often based on a patient’s symptoms or medical history. Understanding these reasons can help patients better prepare for their imaging appointments.

When is a Chest X-Ray Ordered?

Doctors typically order chest X-rays when patients present with the following symptoms or conditions:

• Persistent cough
• Chest pain or injury
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Wheezing
• Chronic mucus production

When is a Chest CT Scan Recommended?

Chest CT scans are often recommended in the following scenarios:

• As a follow-up to an abnormal chest X-ray
• To investigate suspected lung tumors or masses
• To diagnose or monitor pulmonary embolism
• To evaluate the extent of lung diseases like emphysema or tuberculosis
• To assess for pleural effusion (excess fluid around the lungs)

Interpreting an Abnormal Chest X-Ray

Receiving news of an abnormal chest X-ray can be concerning for patients. However, it’s important to understand that an abnormal result doesn’t always indicate a serious condition. Let’s explore what an abnormal chest X-ray might mean and the potential next steps.

What Can an Abnormal Chest X-Ray Indicate?

An abnormal chest X-ray can reveal various conditions, including:

• Enlarged heart
• Fluid in the lungs
• Pneumonia
• Lung cancer
• Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Scarring of lung tissue
• Pulmonary nodules

Is an abnormal chest X-ray always a cause for concern? Not necessarily. While an abnormal result warrants further investigation, many abnormalities turn out to be benign or easily treatable conditions.

Understanding Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary nodules are a common finding on chest X-rays and CT scans. These small, round growths in the lungs often raise concerns among patients, but it’s crucial to understand their implications.

What are Pulmonary Nodules?

Pulmonary nodules are small spots on the lungs, typically less than 3 cm in diameter. They appear as white spots on imaging scans and can sometimes be present for years without causing symptoms.

Are Pulmonary Nodules Cancerous?

While the discovery of a pulmonary nodule can be alarming, it’s important to note that less than 5% of these nodules are cancerous. However, healthcare providers often recommend further evaluation to ensure patient safety.

What causes non-cancerous pulmonary nodules? Common causes include:

• Infections
• Benign tumors
• Sarcoidosis
• Scarring from previous infections or inflammation

Follow-Up Procedures for Abnormal Chest Scans

When a chest X-ray or CT scan reveals an abnormality, healthcare providers may recommend additional tests or procedures to gather more information and make an accurate diagnosis.

Additional Imaging Studies

Depending on the initial findings, your doctor may order:

• A chest CT scan (if the initial test was an X-ray)
• A PET scan to evaluate metabolic activity in suspicious areas
• MRI for more detailed soft tissue imaging

Biopsy Procedures

In some cases, a tissue sample may be necessary to determine the nature of an abnormality. Biopsy options include:

• Needle biopsy
• Bronchoscopy
• Surgical biopsy

Conditions Detectable Through Chest Imaging

Chest X-rays and CT scans can reveal a wide range of pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions. Understanding these potential findings can help patients better comprehend their diagnostic journey.

Respiratory Conditions

Chest imaging can detect various respiratory issues, including:

• Pneumonia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Lung cancer
• Tuberculosis
• Pulmonary edema

Cardiovascular Conditions

In addition to lung-related issues, chest imaging can also reveal heart problems such as:

• Congestive heart failure
• Enlarged heart (cardiomegaly)
• Pericardial effusion
• Aortic aneurysm

When to Seek Specialized Care

After an abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan, your primary care physician may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. Understanding when specialized care is necessary can help patients navigate their healthcare journey more effectively.

Consulting a Pulmonologist

A pulmonologist specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the respiratory system. You may be referred to a pulmonologist if your chest scan reveals:

• Suspicious lung nodules or masses
• Signs of chronic lung diseases like COPD or interstitial lung disease
• Recurrent or complicated pneumonia
• Unexplained shortness of breath or persistent cough

When to See a Cardiologist

If your chest scan indicates potential heart issues, your doctor may recommend a consultation with a cardiologist. This may be necessary if the scan shows:

• An enlarged heart
• Signs of heart failure
• Abnormalities in the major blood vessels
• Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries

How do specialists interpret chest scans? Pulmonologists and cardiologists have extensive training in reading and interpreting chest X-rays and CT scans. They can provide more detailed analysis and recommend appropriate follow-up tests or treatments based on the imaging results.

Coping with Anxiety After an Abnormal Chest Scan

Receiving news of an abnormal chest scan can be emotionally challenging for many patients. It’s natural to feel anxious or worried about what the results might mean for your health. Here are some strategies to help manage these feelings:

Seek Clear Information

One of the best ways to alleviate anxiety is to ensure you have a clear understanding of your test results. Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider questions such as:

• What exactly did the scan show?
• What are the possible implications of these findings?
• What are the next steps in the diagnostic process?
• How urgent is the need for follow-up?

Remember: Abnormal Doesn’t Always Mean Serious

It’s important to keep in mind that many abnormalities found on chest scans turn out to be benign or easily treatable conditions. Try to avoid jumping to worst-case scenarios before you have all the information.

Utilize Support Systems

Don’t hesitate to lean on your support network during this time. This can include:

• Family and friends
• Support groups for individuals undergoing medical testing
• Mental health professionals if anxiety becomes overwhelming

How can you stay proactive while waiting for follow-up? While waiting for additional tests or specialist appointments, focus on maintaining your overall health. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking.

Preventive Measures and Regular Screenings

While not all chest conditions can be prevented, there are steps you can take to maintain lung health and catch potential issues early. Regular screenings play a crucial role in early detection and treatment of various chest conditions.

Maintaining Lung Health

To keep your lungs healthy and reduce the risk of abnormalities on chest scans, consider the following preventive measures:

• Quit smoking or never start
• Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
• Protect yourself from air pollution
• Practice good hygiene to prevent respiratory infections
• Get vaccinated against pneumonia and influenza
• Exercise regularly to improve lung capacity

Importance of Regular Check-ups

Regular health check-ups, including chest examinations when appropriate, can help detect potential issues before they become serious. Discuss with your healthcare provider about the appropriate frequency of chest screenings based on your age, risk factors, and medical history.

Who should consider regular lung cancer screenings? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual lung cancer screening with low-dose CT for adults aged 50-80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

By staying proactive about your lung health and following your healthcare provider’s recommendations for screenings, you can increase the chances of detecting any potential issues early, when they are most treatable.

What Does It Mean If My Chest Scan Is Abnormal? — Pulmonary Associates of Brandon

An abnormal chest scan could mean many things. It could be one problem, or a litany of problems, or it could be nothing serious. Dr. Rolando Sanchez MD says an abnormal chest x-ray could show an “enlarged heart, fluid in the lungs, air pockets, pneumonia, among many other things.” Pulmonary physicians can help read these scans and determine the particularities of any abnormality.

What Is A Chest Scan?

Two common forms of chest scans are chest x-rays and chest CTs. The x-ray is a more basic procedure and the CT is more detailed. It uses x-ray technology in conjunction with computer imaging software to create a more detailed picture of the lungs.

Chest x-rays are fast and painless tests that use electromagnetic waves to produce pictures of the structures in and around your chest. These tests are used to diagnose and monitor such conditions as pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and scarring of the lung tissue.

Chest CT scans or Computed Tomography scans are also painless tests. They provide more detailed images. They often create cross-sectional images of the lungs often called “slices”, and they also use computer technology to create 3-D models of the lungs. These tests are usually follow-up tests to abnormal chest x-rays. They are often used to diagnose certain lung conditions such as check to see if you have certain lung problems such as a tumor, excess fluid around the lungs that is known as pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Abnormal Scans

If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chronic mucus production, etc. then your physician may order a chest x-ray. If the x-ray is abnormal or the physician sees something in the x-ray, then they might order a CT scan or even a PET scan to further diagnose what showed up on the x-ray.

Conditions such as heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, pleural effusion, embolisms, emphysema, and lung scarring would all show up on chest scans in various ways.

Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary nodules are small spots on the lungs that may show up on x-rays or CT scans. They are often causes of serious concern for patients even thought they do not have to be. A pulmonary nodule is usually less than 3cm in diameter, and can sometimes be in the lungs for years without the patient knowing. They do not always cause symptoms.

Nodules show up as white spots on imaging scans. Your physician will probably want to take a biopsy of the nodule to see if it is malignant or cancerous. Less than five percent of pulmonary nodules cause cancer, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Other causes of these nodules include infection, neoplasms, or sarcoidosis.

What Next?

The experts at Pulmonary Associates of Brandon are equipped to diagnose and treat a variety of pulmonary diseases and conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, acute and chronic respiratory failure, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep disorders. They can help you determine what is causing your abnormal chest scan, and can help decide the best path to take for it. The team of highly specialized physicians will know the best way to analyze a chest scan and the most effective way to proceed from any abnormalities.

What Does it Mean to Have an Abnormal X-Ray? MXBowen Physician PC

August 31, 2017 / abnormal X-ray, causes for an abnormal x-ray, reasons for a chest x-ray

An abnormal chest X-ray can cause a lot of anxiety and questions. Until you get more information, you’ll wonder what caused the abnormal reading and exactly what it means for you.

In this blog, NYC pulmonologist Dr. Marc Bowen of MX Bowen, Physician P.C., Health & Breathing Center explains what it means to have an abnormal X-ray so you can get the peace of mind and any treatment you may need.

What is a chest x-ray?

A chest X-ray is a painless test that uses electromagnetic waves to take pictures of your chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.

Why is it performed?

Your doctor may order a chest X-ray if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Persistent cough
• Chest pain or injury
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Wheezing
• Chronic mucus production

What does it mean to have an abnormal chest X-ray?

An abnormal chest X-ray isn’t always a cause for concern, but it signals a need to gather more information.

In some cases, a chest X-ray can detect a pulmonary nodule (a small spot on your lung). Your doctor may want to take a tissue sample (biopsy) of the nodule to look for signs of cancer, but less than five percent of these nodules are cancerous. In addition, if it’s not cancerous, your doctor may want to monitor its growth over time.

A nodule may also indicate the presence of an infection or sarcoidosis (a chronic disease that causes immune system cells to build up in small clusters).

An abnormal X-ray can also indicate the presence of the following abnormal conditions:

• Pneumonia
• Excess fluid around the lung
• Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Cysts
• Heart failure
• Fluid around the heart
• Enlarged heart
• Broken ribs

What’s the next step?

Your doctor may be able to provide a diagnosis based on the findings in your abnormal X-ray and begin appropriate treatment.

If more information is needed, he or she may order additional tests, such as a CT (computed tomography) scan. It’s similar to an X-ray but is more powerful and is able to take 360-degree images of the area of concern.

Why should you visit MXBowen?

Dr. Bowen has nearly three decades of experience specializing in pulmonary diseases, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. He understands that an abnormal X-ray can cause a great deal of anxiety, and he’ll be able to give you the information you need.

Whether it’s a benign growth that needs no treatment other than monitoring or an issue that needs to be addressed, he’ll provide the highest level of compassionate care aided by the latest, state-of-the-art diagnostic and medical equipment.

If you’ve had a chest X-ray with abnormal results, make an appointment today with MXBowen, Physician P.C., Health & Breathing Center. We’ll explain what the X-ray shows, determine if further testing is needed, and make sure you have all the information you need to make the best possible decisions regarding your health.

Is lung cancer visible on x-rays, does fluorography show cancer? – August 3, 2020

Vadim Kozlov says that the connection between the occurrence of lung cancer and smoking has long been proven: one of the studies was conducted at the beginning of the 20th century in the USA

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

without” , which comes out every 2 weeks on Mondays, NGS medical observer Maria Tishchenko spoke with Vadim Kozlov, head of the oncology department No. 3 of the regional clinical oncology dispensary. He talked about lung cancer, one of the causes of which is smoking (but not only). Why so many people die from it and what treatment options exist – read in the interview.

— What is the difference between lung cancer and other malignant tumors?

— Lung cancer is a malignant epithelial tumor that develops in the lung. This is an extremely aggressive type of tumor. Unfortunately, the prevalence among the population of the Novosibirsk region, Russia and the whole world is high. There is a tendency to increase the incidence not only among smokers, but also among people who have never smoked. Lung cancer in non-smokers is somewhat different in histology and prognosis, and sometimes in treatment methods. If we are talking about statistics, then, for example, in Europe in 2019The incidence of lung cancer exceeded the incidence of breast cancer in women, which was in first place.

But the whole problem of lung cancer is not in morbidity, but in mortality, because it ranks first in the structure of mortality among all malignant tumors in Russia and throughout the world. If we add up the deaths from prostate, colon, pancreas and breast cancer, that is, four nosologies, we get the number of patients who die from one lung cancer. It’s very visual.

I don’t know how many minutes we will talk, but every minute three people die from lung cancer in the world. One in five malignant deaths worldwide are from lung cancer. This problem is very urgent and has not yet been resolved.

This is how the lungs look on CT – the most effective method for diagnosing lung cancer

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

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— What types of lung cancer are there?

– Lung cancer can be small cell (10-15%) and non-small cell (80-85%). The first is most often associated with smoking and in most cases is not operated on, as it is detected at a late stage, and is the most aggressive along the course. Non-small cell, in turn, can be squamous, associated with smoking, and adenocarcinoma (40% of this group).

— Why does a person get lung cancer?

— There are several problems here: right now, most of the cases of lung cancer are associated with smoking — in 80% of cases. The more smoking experience a person has, the higher the chance of getting sick. In addition, it is important how exactly a person smokes: half a cigarette, does not smoke completely or before the filter – the more he smokes, the higher the risk again. There are studies that show that if a person quit smoking, after 10-15 years, his risk of getting sick is compared with the risk of a person who did not smoke.

On the other hand, only 15% of all smokers get lung cancer, that is, not all smokers get it, but if they do, then the reason for this is smoking. As I said earlier, now there is an increase in cases of lung cancer among patients who have never smoked. More often, these are women of a fairly young age, who have never smoked – adenocarcinoma predominates in them.

Sometimes a person does not smoke, but is in a circle of smokers and is forced to breathe cigarette smoke – the so-called passive smoking. Some scientists believe that such smoking is even more dangerous than active smoking.

The effect of hookah smoking on the risk of lung cancer has not yet been studied. According to the doctor, this is still harmful, because when smoking a hookah, a person inhales not only various chemical additives with unexplored possibilities, but also very hot steam

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

the cause of this type of cancer?

– As I prepared my dissertation, I gradually streamlined my knowledge about what other reasons there are. The second is radon: lung cancer cases caused by radon account for 3 to 14%. Radon is a natural radioactive gas with a half-life of 3.8 days, which is produced by the decay of radium-226, which is the decay product of uranium-238 in the earth’s crust. Released from the earth’s crust, radon accumulates in the basements or lower floors of various buildings with poor ventilation and can affect the human body.

Since radon is inert, almost all of the inhaled gas is exhaled, but radon breaks down into so-called daughter products (short-lived radioisotopes), which include polonium-218 and polonium-214. These radioisotopes can be deposited on the epithelium of the respiratory tract and, given their half-life of less than 30 minutes, rapidly degrade in the respiratory tract and emit alpha particles capable of damaging cellular DNA, which is the basis of lung cancer carcinogenesis.

The third reason is any products of combustion, even when the stove is heated at home or kebabs are fried. This smoke contains a large amount of so-called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the worst of which is benzpyrene, an aggressive carcinogen that causes lung cancer. In the city, we breathe products of combustion – from the exhaust pipes of cars, thermal power plants, factories.

The fourth reason is long-term contact with asbestos, mainly people employed in such industries. The fifth reason is background chronic lung diseases: the so-called COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a collective concept that includes chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma. If a patient with COPD, for example, smokes or is exposed to radon or asbestos, the risk of lung cancer increases many times over.

It must be said that lung cancer still occurs due to the influence of many factors, and not just one, so our patients can be both urban residents and rural residents.

Vadim Kozlov says that the chief oncologist of the NSO is coming up with an initiative to the Ministry of Health to start screening people at risk

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

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— What are the symptoms or is the disease more often asymptomatic?

— The main problem is that we cannot achieve early diagnosis and active detection of lung cancer. Not even oncologists should deal with this, but primary care specialists – therapists, narrow specialists, such as gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists. In general, our polyclinics are able to carry out the necessary screening, but the patient’s desire is also needed.

On the one hand, the patient must have access to medical care, and on the other hand, the patient must want to come for it. Very often, residents of our region are concerned about everyday problems and do not pay attention to the state of their health, and even more so they do not find time to undergo a preventive examination, there is still a fear: “What if they find something terrible, I’d rather live like this.” In addition to equipment, our task is to raise the general level of education of the population, especially in rural areas, and to conduct educational work.

In 2019 in Russia, the proportion of actively diagnosed lung cancer is less than 20%, and the remaining 80% will come when symptoms already appear, that is, something gets sick. At an early stage, we can cure, but when the patient comes with complaints, in the vast majority of cases this is not the first stage. Most often, at the initial stage, lung cancer, like other tumors, does not manifest itself in any way.

Chest pain, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, fever, weight loss – these are all symptoms of an advanced disease. Often in patients with these symptoms on X-rays or CT scans, we see a large tumor with in-growth into large blood vessels or we detect metastases in other organs.

Squamous cell carcinoma is more associated with smoking, while adenocarcinoma occurs more often in non-smokers

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

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Of course, it should be noted that a third of patients come to us at the first and second stages. A number of them will have concomitant diseases, due to which we will not be able to operate on them, and this is the main method of treatment. 70% of patients are in the third and fourth stages. This is the most unfavorable group of patients according to the prognosis.

And again, the reasons for such lethality are that we begin to treat patients in most cases at an advanced stage, and a number of patients do not receive any antitumor treatment at all due to their general condition. This is a very sad statistic that does not change. But we can heal and we know how to do it.

— What is the most effective diagnostic method ?

— Yearly fluorography as screening for lung cancer does not reduce lung cancer mortality. Of course, on FOG you can see a shadow in the lung, but often small formations are visible, and the point is not in the qualifications of the radiologist, but more often in limiting the ability of the method itself. The only method that has any effect on reducing mortality is low-dose computed tomography of the chest in the high-risk population – over the age of 50 years and with a history of smoking for more than 10 years.

Nicotine itself does not cause much harm, especially its decay products, the specialist notes

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

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According to some clinical studies conducted in Europe and the USA, this reduces mortality from lung cancer by 4% – yes, a little, but at least something! Today, the chief oncologist of the NSO comes up with an initiative to our Ministry of Health to start such screening in our region, as our colleagues in Moscow and Tyumen did. In my opinion, this is a very interesting and useful idea.

For those patients who come to us with detected formations in the lung, we perform additional examinations, such as bronchoscopy to examine the bronchi with a possible biopsy, ultrasound or CT of the abdominal cavity, MRI of the brain.

— Many Novosibirsk residents are now undergoing chest CT scans due to the coronavirus infection. Did this increase your patient flow?

— Yes, the pandemic has shown us that lung imaging as screening works: many people with a viral respiratory infection went to private centers and had CT scans of the lungs — and to their surprise, the examination did not reveal viral pneumonia, but a tumor in the lung, oh which people didn’t even know. A number of patients who were diagnosed in such a random way, we have already operated on. So there is no evil without good!

— You said that the main method of treatment is surgery, tell us about others?

– Yes, the main method is surgical, when part of the lung is removed, and in rare cases the entire lung. Surgery as the only method of treatment is possible only in the first stage of the disease, and patients with this stage, as you remember, are only about 15-20%. In such patients, we can perform operations through one small puncture in the chest wall and thus avoid a large and traumatic open access, which is called a thoracotomy.

Hemoptysis can be associated not only with lung cancer, this symptom can occur with pulmonary tuberculosis and some other diseases. In the photo: the black area is the lungs, the white spots are pneumonia. Moreover, in patients with the first stage, the five-year survival rate reaches 80% after the operation. In the second and third stages, the situation is more complicated: the second we can start with a surgical method, but most often postoperative chemotherapy will be required.

In some cases, in patients with the third stage, it is necessary to carry out preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, and only in cases where the tumor has responded to treatment, has decreased, the next stage is surgery. I must say that, unfortunately, at this stage, lung cancer is already difficult to treat, and in some cases, in patients with the third stage, we generally refuse traumatic surgery in favor of only chemoradiotherapy.

— Is the fourth stage the most difficult to treat?

— The fourth stage of lung cancer is generally a separate difficult topic to talk about. On it, the main method of treatment is anticancer drugs (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy). Self-chemotherapy at this stage gives a survival rate of 11 months on average, without treatment – only five to six months. But, in addition to chemotherapy, our arsenal now includes targeted therapy or immunotherapy – here we are talking about two, three or more years of life. True, first you need to study the tumor for special targets for the effectiveness of such therapy, and they are rare, so this innovative therapy can not be used in all patients – this is its main drawback.

I must say that we have modern radiation therapy in our arsenal. It can be used as a standalone lung cancer treatment plan or in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. A separate type of radiation therapy is the gamma knife, which is often used to treat brain metastases (see how exactly this treatment is carried out. – Note ed. ) Today, our patients can receive such treatment free of charge under a quota in two institutions of Novosibirsk.

Vadim Kozlov talks about the importance of early detection of lung cancer, because it is easier to treat at the initial stage

Photo: Maria Tishchenko

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participation of a multidisciplinary team, which includes an oncological surgeon, a chemotherapist and a radiologist. Sometimes related specialists are also involved in this consultation if patients have other concomitant diseases. By the way, it must be said that a multidisciplinary approach allows us to increase the survival rate of our patients by 20% compared to the situation when the decision to treat a patient is made solely by one doctor.

— Where does lung cancer most often metastasize?

– Lung cancer can metastasize anywhere, favorite places are the brain, liver, adrenal glands, bones and lungs. Patients with liver and brain metastases are the most unfavorable group of patients.

— What are the myths about lung cancer?

– The most common myth and questions related to it: is it possible to get cancer by airborne droplets, through household items – spoons, mugs, and so on. I want to say that this is just a myth. Cancer cannot be contracted.

The second myth is often associated with the fear of surgery, patients ask that if we let air in, this will lead to a rapid progression of cancer. This is also just a myth.

Earlier we talked about cancer, which occupies the first place among Novosibirsk residents in terms of incidence – it can even be detected on its own, the main thing is to carefully look around.

If you have questions about cancer, if you have experienced the disease yourself, or know someone who has been cured of cancer and would like to share their story, please let the medical reviewer know Maria Tishchenko — m. [email protected] or by phone +7 961 845–55–78 (WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram).

efficiency of the diagnostic method, advantages and disadvantages

Bronchitis is a common pathology that needs treatment, as it makes breathing much more difficult and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, emphysema, and other serious diseases. One of the most common methods for diagnosing bronchitis is an X-ray examination.

Bronchitis on x-ray: signs, what it looks like

Whether bronchitis is visible on an x-ray is a moot point, since doctors in most cases judge its presence by indirect signs. The signs of bronchitis on x-rays include uneven filling of the lungs with air due to possible blockage. Due to the proliferation of connective tissue, the vascular pattern of the lungs and bronchi is distorted. Also, bronchitis may be indicated by a slight decrease in lung tissue.

Causes of disease development

In most cases, the nature of bronchitis is viral, this disease accompanies adenovirus infection, pneumonia, influenza. However, in some cases, bacteria can become the cause of the development of bronchitis: staphylococci, streptococci and others. Often they accompany viral diseases. Smoking, prolonged inhalation of dust and pollutants can contribute to the development of bronchitis. Less common are cases of bronchitis of a fungal nature, as well as due to anomalies in the structure of the bronchopulmonary system. Bronchitis is more common in adults than in children.

Types of bronchitis

There are acute and chronic forms of bronchitis. Acute is characterized by the sudden onset of mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Acute obstructive bronchitis is divided into catarrhal, purulent, catarrhal-purulent and atrophic, each of which has the corresponding signs and is an indication for x-rays. Non-obstructive bronchitis is characterized by the appearance of sputum in the bronchi and, with the further development of the disease, its entry into the lungs. The chronic form of bronchitis is usually observed in heavy smokers and representatives of “harmful” professions. To identify any type of bronchitis, a comprehensive study is required, including an x-ray, which allows you to identify indirect signs of bronchitis.

How is X-ray taken to diagnose bronchitis?

An x-ray is a procedure that requires the right approach, since the permissible exposure rate for each person is different. Therefore, if you suspect signs of bronchitis, an x-ray is prescribed by a doctor. Before the examination, the patient removes clothing and metal objects that distort the image. The doctor sets the patient in front of the tube of the apparatus in the correct position. Immediately before the scan, the patient will need to take a breath, not breathe or move for a few seconds.

Can bronchitis be seen on a lung x-ray? The answer is unequivocal: only its indirect signs are visible, which the lungs perfectly reflect. An additional method of X-ray examination in bronchitis is bronchography, which is carried out with contrast and is simultaneously combined with endoscopic examination. However, this diagnostic method is used only if there are clear indications for the study, since it is very unpleasant for the patient.

How does bronchitis look on x-ray?

Whether bronchitis is visible on the x-ray depends on the neglect of the disease. In any case, the signs of bronchitis on the X-ray make themselves felt by the heterogeneous structure of the lung, inflammation is accompanied by its changes.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis on x-ray manifests itself as a deformation of the lung root, thickening of the walls of the bronchi, fuzzy contours of the lungs and the disappearance of small vessels from the pulmonary pattern. Launched obstructive bronchitis, threatening to develop into emphysema, has the following signs: the presence of abnormal air cavities in the lungs, a strong violation of the pulmonary pattern and a change in the outlines of the lung.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis on x-rays is detected quite easily, since usually the disease remains unattended for a long time. The main signs of chronic bronchitis on x-rays are: the transparency of the lung tissue, the vertical position of the heart and the thickening of the diaphragm, which means the neglect of the disease. With the resulting blood supply problems, lung parenchymas are possible, which are visible on x-rays.

X-ray contraindications

An unconditional contraindication for x-rays in bronchitis is pregnancy and age up to 15 years. Otherwise, the dose of radiation obtained by x-ray of the lungs is from 0.15 to 0.40 m3 per session. While the allowable figure for the year is 20 m3, you will not get it even with regular diagnostic studies of various organs. All this is due to the development of X-ray technology and the protective measures provided (special leaded rubber sheets and aprons), which greatly reduce the amount of radiation received. However, despite this, doctors prescribe an X-ray examination only when justified. Therefore, X-ray with signs of bronchitis is one of the most effective and safe diagnostic methods.

Are there alternative methods for detecting bronchitis?

In some cases, with contraindications to x-ray examination, the doctor has to look for an alternative method to determine bronchitis completely or exclude complications. The method of ultrasound of the bronchi and MRI is effective, but such a diagnosis will cost more than an x-ray.

Treatment of bronchitis

Regardless of whether it is possible to see bronchitis on an x-ray, the treatment is prescribed by a doctor and depends on the type of pathogen. With bronchitis of bacterial origin, antibiotics are prescribed, with viral – antiviral agents, with fungal – antifungal. Symptomatic treatments are used to relieve sore throat and nasal congestion, if necessary. In addition to the basic medicines, massage and exercise therapy are prescribed to facilitate and accelerate the release of sputum from the bronchi.

In chronic bronchitis, it is very important to negate the factors that provoke it. Otherwise, no treatment will help, and whether the X-ray will show bronchitis in the next study, there is no doubt.

You can sign up for the study by calling 8 (812) 901-03-03

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