What is lung opacity. How is lung opacity diagnosed. What causes lung opacity. Can lung opacity indicate cancer. How is lung opacity treated. What is the outlook for patients with lung opacity. Is lung opacity always a serious condition.

Understanding Lung Opacity: A Comprehensive Overview

Lung opacity is a radiological term that describes hazy gray areas visible on computed tomography (CT) scans or X-rays of the lungs. These areas indicate increased density within the lung tissue, which can be caused by various factors. Normally, healthy lungs appear black on imaging scans, signifying that they are free of obstructions. The presence of gray areas suggests that something is partially filling the space inside the lungs.

Ground-glass opacity, a specific type of lung opacity, can result from:

• Fluid, pus, or cells filling the air spaces
• Thickening of the alveolar walls
• Increased density in the space between the lungs

Causes and Manifestations of Lung Opacity

Lung opacity can arise from numerous conditions, ranging from temporary illnesses to chronic or more serious diseases. Some common causes include:

• Infections (viral, bacterial, or fungal)
• Inflammatory processes
• Hemorrhages
• Smoking or vaping history
• COVID-19
• Pulmonary edema
• Interstitial lung diseases
• Pneumonia
• Lung cancer (in some cases)

Are lung opacities always indicative of a serious condition? No, lung opacities are not always serious. In many cases, they can be benign and temporary, resulting from short-term illnesses or inflammation. However, persistent or unexplained opacities warrant further investigation to rule out more severe conditions.

Diagnosing Lung Opacity: Symptoms and Imaging Techniques

Healthcare professionals typically discover lung opacities through imaging scans. Your doctor may recommend a lung scan if you experience the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing
• Coughing with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
• Chest pains
• Blue- or white-tinged fingertips or lips
• Voice changes

Additionally, individuals with a history of smoking or vaping may undergo routine chest CT scans to screen for lung cancer risk. It’s important to note that while lung opacities can sometimes indicate cancer, they are often benign and may be due to other factors.

Types of Lung Opacity Patterns

Lung opacities can manifest in various patterns on imaging scans, each potentially indicating different underlying conditions:

1. Diffuse: Opacities appear in multiple lobes or both lungs, often due to fluid, damaged tissue, or inflammation.
2. Nodular: Can be either malignant or benign, often requiring monitoring over time to assess growth.
3. Centrilobular: Appears within one or several lung lobules, with unaffected connective tissues between lobules.
4. Mosaic: Opaque areas vary in intensity, typically caused by blocked small arteries or airways.
5. Crazy paving: A linear pattern resulting from widened spaces between lobules.
6. Halo sign: Opacity surrounds nodules.
7. Reversed halo sign: Opacity is surrounded by liquid-filled tissue.

Lung Opacity and Cancer: Separating Fact from Fiction

Does lung opacity always mean cancer? No, lung opacity does not always indicate cancer. While it can be a sign of lung cancer in some cases, many other benign conditions can cause lung opacities. However, certain characteristics of lung opacities may raise suspicion for malignancy.

Ground-glass opacity nodules, which can be either pure or partially solid, have different implications for cancer risk. A 2019 study found that pure ground-glass opacity nodules were more likely to be associated with earlier stages of lung cancer and less lymph node invasion compared to partially solid nodules. This highlights the importance of careful evaluation and monitoring of lung opacities.

Factors Influencing Cancer Risk in Lung Opacities

• Size and growth rate of the opacity
• Presence of solid components
• Patient’s age and smoking history
• Family history of lung cancer
• Occupational exposures to carcinogens

Treatment Approaches for Lung Opacity

How is lung opacity treated? The treatment for lung opacity depends on the underlying cause. Some common approaches include:

• Steroid medications to reduce inflammation
• Immunosuppressants to prevent further immune system damage
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Oxygen treatments for respiratory support
• Surgery in some cases

If lung opacity is due to cancer, treatment may involve:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapies
• Immunotherapy
• Surgical intervention

The specific treatment plan will be tailored to the individual patient’s condition, the extent of the opacity, and any underlying health factors.

Prognosis and Long-Term Outlook for Patients with Lung Opacity

What is the prognosis for patients with lung opacity? The long-term outlook for patients with lung opacity varies significantly depending on the underlying cause. Some conditions that lead to lung opacity, such as viral infections, are typically short-lived with a low long-term risk. In these cases, the opacity may resolve on its own or with minimal intervention.

However, other conditions causing lung opacity, such as alveolar hemorrhage or lung cancer, may require more intensive treatments and have a more guarded prognosis. Factors that can influence the outlook include:

• The underlying cause of the opacity
• The extent and distribution of the opacity
• The patient’s overall health and age
• Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment
• Response to initial treatments

Regular follow-up imaging and medical evaluations are often necessary to monitor the progression or resolution of lung opacities. In some cases, what initially appears as a benign opacity may evolve over time, necessitating ongoing vigilance and potentially adjusted treatment plans.

Preventing Lung Opacity: Lifestyle Factors and Risk Reduction

While not all causes of lung opacity are preventable, certain lifestyle choices and preventive measures can help reduce the risk of developing conditions that lead to lung opacities. Some key strategies include:

• Quitting smoking or never starting
• Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke
• Protecting yourself from occupational lung hazards
• Maintaining good overall health and a strong immune system
• Getting vaccinated against respiratory infections like influenza and pneumonia
• Practicing good hand hygiene to prevent infections
• Managing chronic health conditions effectively

Can lung opacity be prevented entirely? While it’s not possible to prevent all instances of lung opacity, these measures can significantly reduce your risk of developing conditions that lead to lung abnormalities visible on imaging scans.

The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups

Regular health check-ups and screenings play a crucial role in the early detection and management of lung opacities. For individuals at higher risk, such as long-term smokers or those with a family history of lung disease, healthcare providers may recommend routine chest imaging as part of a comprehensive health monitoring plan.

Advancements in Lung Opacity Detection and Management

The field of radiology and pulmonary medicine continues to evolve, bringing new advancements in the detection and management of lung opacities. Some notable developments include:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for improved image analysis
• Low-dose CT scanning techniques for reduced radiation exposure
• Molecular imaging methods for more precise characterization of lung abnormalities
• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic and molecular profiles
• Minimally invasive biopsy techniques for tissue sampling

How are these advancements improving patient care? These technological innovations are enhancing the accuracy of lung opacity detection, enabling earlier diagnosis of underlying conditions, and facilitating more targeted treatment approaches. As a result, patients benefit from more precise and effective management strategies, potentially leading to improved outcomes and quality of life.

The Role of Multidisciplinary Care in Managing Lung Opacities

Given the complex nature of lung opacities and their diverse underlying causes, a multidisciplinary approach to care is often beneficial. This may involve collaboration between:

• Pulmonologists
• Radiologists
• Oncologists (if cancer is suspected)
• Infectious disease specialists
• Thoracic surgeons
• Respiratory therapists

By bringing together experts from various specialties, patients receive comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their condition, from accurate diagnosis to optimal treatment and follow-up.

Living with Lung Opacity: Patient Support and Quality of Life

For individuals diagnosed with lung opacities, especially those resulting from chronic conditions, maintaining a good quality of life is paramount. Support strategies may include:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation programs
• Breathing exercises and techniques
• Nutritional counseling
• Psychological support and stress management
• Patient education on disease management
• Support groups and community resources

How can patients cope with the uncertainty of living with lung opacity? Coping strategies often involve a combination of medical management, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional support. Patients are encouraged to maintain open communication with their healthcare team, adhere to treatment plans, and engage in activities that promote overall well-being.

The Impact of Lung Opacity on Daily Life

Depending on the underlying cause and severity, lung opacities can affect various aspects of daily life, including:

• Physical activity and exercise tolerance
• Work and occupational considerations
• Travel plans, especially air travel
• Sleep quality
• Emotional well-being

Healthcare providers work closely with patients to develop strategies for managing these impacts and maintaining the highest possible quality of life.

Future Directions in Lung Opacity Research and Treatment

As our understanding of lung opacities continues to grow, researchers are exploring new avenues for improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Some promising areas of research include:

• Biomarker discovery for early detection of specific lung conditions
• Novel imaging techniques for more detailed visualization of lung structures
• Targeted therapies for specific types of lung opacities
• Gene therapy approaches for inherited lung disorders
• Lung regeneration and tissue engineering

What can we expect in the future of lung opacity management? While it’s difficult to predict specific breakthroughs, the ongoing research efforts suggest a future where lung opacities can be detected earlier, characterized more precisely, and treated more effectively. This may lead to improved outcomes and reduced burden of lung diseases overall.

The Role of Patient Participation in Research

Patients with lung opacities play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of these conditions. Participation in clinical trials and research studies can contribute valuable data and insights, potentially leading to new treatments and improved care strategies. Individuals interested in contributing to lung opacity research should discuss opportunities with their healthcare providers or local research institutions.

In conclusion, lung opacity represents a complex radiological finding that can stem from various underlying conditions. While it can be a source of concern for patients, it’s important to remember that many cases are benign and treatable. With ongoing advancements in medical imaging, diagnostic techniques, and treatment approaches, the outlook for patients with lung opacities continues to improve. By staying informed, working closely with healthcare providers, and adopting healthy lifestyle practices, individuals can effectively manage their health and contribute to the broader understanding of lung opacities.

Lung Opacity: Understanding What This Means

Even though over 80 million people undergo computed tomography (CT) scans each year in the United States, some of the words and phrases related to this imaging test can be complicated and hard to understand.

For example, one term that healthcare professionals might use in reference to a lung CT scan is “opacity.” This is a radiological term that refers to the hazy gray areas on images made by CT scans or X-rays.

This article will provide information about lung opacity, whether it means you have lung cancer, and what the outlook may be for those with lung opacity.

Ground-glass opacity is a radiological term that refers to hazy gray areas on the images made by CT scans or X-rays. It indicates increased density in these areas.

Typically, the lungs appear black on a CT scan or X-ray. This shows that they are free of blockages. When gray areas are visible instead, it means that something is partially filling this area inside the lungs.

These gray areas are referred to as ground-glass opacity. Ground-glass opacity can be a sign of:

• fluid, pus, or cells filling the air space
• walls of the alveoli thickening
• space between the lungs thickening

Ground-glass opacity can result from a variety of causes, according to 2020 research.

Sometimes it is temporary and the result of a short-term illness. In other cases, it can signify a chronic or more serious condition. Ground-glass opacity can also indicate an infection or other inflammatory process, which is usually what a clinician will share with you or your loved one who has had a CT scan or X-ray.

Healthcare professionals see lung opacities on imaging scans. Your doctor may suggest a scan of your lungs if you are experiencing:

• shortness of breath
• persistent coughing
• coughing with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
• chest pains
• blue- or white-tinged fingertips or lips
• voice changes

Opacities are also likely to show up on a scan if you have a history of smoking or vaping.

It’s also good to know that chest CTs are used to screen for risk of lung cancer, and a physician may order a CT scan if you have a history of smoking.

Lung opacities can indicate many conditions besides cancer. Many times they are benign (noncancerous). They may be due to infections, hemorrhages, a history of smoking, and even COVID-19.

Lung opacities are common, 2021 research suggests. They can indicate a broad range of conditions, and your doctor may need to do further scans and tests to determine the exact cause of any lung opacities.

Lung opacity can show up on the imaging scan in a variety of ways, depending on the underlying condition. Some conditions will result in multiple types of opacities.

Opacities may be:

• Diffuse: This describes when opacities show up in multiple lobes or both lungs. This is usually the result of fluid, damaged tissue, or inflammation.
• Nodular: This can mean either a malignant or benign condition. Because this opacity can be caused by small scars from a recent infection, doctors may choose to watch it over several scans to see if it grows.
• Centrilobular: This type of opacity can appear within one or several lobules of the lung. The connective tissues between the lobules will be unaffected in this type of opacity.
• Mosaic: Opaque areas vary in intensity in this pattern. It is due to small arteries or airways within the lung being blocked.
• Crazy paving: This describes a linear pattern that develops when spaces between the lobules widen.
• Halo sign: This describes when opacity fills the area around the nodules.
• Reversed halo sign: The opacity will be surrounded by liquid-filled tissue.

Lung opacity can indicate different conditions that have their own treatment plans. Depending on the cause, your doctor may suggest:

• steroid medications to reduce inflammation
• immunosuppressants to prevent your immune system from further damaging your lungs
• antibiotics
• oxygen treatments
• surgery

If the lung opacity is due to cancer, treatment will vary depending on the severity and type. Treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Lung opacity can result from many different causes, with varying degrees of seriousness.

Some conditions that cause lung opacity, like viral infections, are typically short-lived with low long-term risk. Other conditions, like alveolar hemorrhage and lung cancer, require more serious treatments.

Ground-glass opacity nodules can be divided into two types: pure and partially solid. Pure nodules do not contain any solid mass, whereas partially solid nodules do have solid components.

A 2019 study found that in cases when lung opacity showed cancer, pure ground-glass opacity nodules were more likely to be seen in earlier stages of lung cancer. There was also less lymph node invasion compared with ground-glass opacity nodules that also include solid masses.

Additionally, pure ground-glass opacity nodules took longer to double in size than ground-glass opacity nodules with solid masses in these studies. This means that lung cancer outlook may be better when a person has pure ground-glass opacity, compared with scans that showed a solid part in the nodules.

After a CT scan or X-ray, a radiologist will look at the scan to determine if there are areas of concern. One thing that can show on a CT scan or X-ray is a degree of haziness referred to as opacity.

Opacity on a lung scan can indicate a concern, but the cause can vary. Your doctor may recommend additional testing to determine the exact cause of any potential lung issues.

The outlook and treatment options available will depend on the cause of the opacity.

Lung Opacity: Understanding What This Means

Even though over 80 million people undergo computed tomography (CT) scans each year in the United States, some of the words and phrases related to this imaging test can be complicated and hard to understand.

For example, one term that healthcare professionals might use in reference to a lung CT scan is “opacity. ” This is a radiological term that refers to the hazy gray areas on images made by CT scans or X-rays.

This article will provide information about lung opacity, whether it means you have lung cancer, and what the outlook may be for those with lung opacity.

Ground-glass opacity is a radiological term that refers to hazy gray areas on the images made by CT scans or X-rays. It indicates increased density in these areas.

Typically, the lungs appear black on a CT scan or X-ray. This shows that they are free of blockages. When gray areas are visible instead, it means that something is partially filling this area inside the lungs.

These gray areas are referred to as ground-glass opacity. Ground-glass opacity can be a sign of:

• fluid, pus, or cells filling the air space
• walls of the alveoli thickening
• space between the lungs thickening

Ground-glass opacity can result from a variety of causes, according to 2020 research.

Sometimes it is temporary and the result of a short-term illness. In other cases, it can signify a chronic or more serious condition. Ground-glass opacity can also indicate an infection or other inflammatory process, which is usually what a clinician will share with you or your loved one who has had a CT scan or X-ray.

Healthcare professionals see lung opacities on imaging scans. Your doctor may suggest a scan of your lungs if you are experiencing:

• shortness of breath
• persistent coughing
• coughing with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
• chest pains
• blue- or white-tinged fingertips or lips
• voice changes

Opacities are also likely to show up on a scan if you have a history of smoking or vaping.

It’s also good to know that chest CTs are used to screen for risk of lung cancer, and a physician may order a CT scan if you have a history of smoking.

Lung opacities can indicate many conditions besides cancer. Many times they are benign (noncancerous). They may be due to infections, hemorrhages, a history of smoking, and even COVID-19.

Lung opacities are common, 2021 research suggests. They can indicate a broad range of conditions, and your doctor may need to do further scans and tests to determine the exact cause of any lung opacities.

Lung opacity can show up on the imaging scan in a variety of ways, depending on the underlying condition. Some conditions will result in multiple types of opacities.

Opacities may be:

• Diffuse: This describes when opacities show up in multiple lobes or both lungs. This is usually the result of fluid, damaged tissue, or inflammation.
• Nodular: This can mean either a malignant or benign condition. Because this opacity can be caused by small scars from a recent infection, doctors may choose to watch it over several scans to see if it grows.
• Centrilobular: This type of opacity can appear within one or several lobules of the lung. The connective tissues between the lobules will be unaffected in this type of opacity.
• Mosaic: Opaque areas vary in intensity in this pattern. It is due to small arteries or airways within the lung being blocked.
• Crazy paving: This describes a linear pattern that develops when spaces between the lobules widen.
• Halo sign: This describes when opacity fills the area around the nodules.
• Reversed halo sign: The opacity will be surrounded by liquid-filled tissue.

Lung opacity can indicate different conditions that have their own treatment plans. Depending on the cause, your doctor may suggest:

• steroid medications to reduce inflammation
• immunosuppressants to prevent your immune system from further damaging your lungs
• antibiotics
• oxygen treatments
• surgery

If the lung opacity is due to cancer, treatment will vary depending on the severity and type. Treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Lung opacity can result from many different causes, with varying degrees of seriousness.

Some conditions that cause lung opacity, like viral infections, are typically short-lived with low long-term risk. Other conditions, like alveolar hemorrhage and lung cancer, require more serious treatments.

Ground-glass opacity nodules can be divided into two types: pure and partially solid. Pure nodules do not contain any solid mass, whereas partially solid nodules do have solid components.

A 2019 study found that in cases when lung opacity showed cancer, pure ground-glass opacity nodules were more likely to be seen in earlier stages of lung cancer. There was also less lymph node invasion compared with ground-glass opacity nodules that also include solid masses.

Additionally, pure ground-glass opacity nodules took longer to double in size than ground-glass opacity nodules with solid masses in these studies. This means that lung cancer outlook may be better when a person has pure ground-glass opacity, compared with scans that showed a solid part in the nodules.

After a CT scan or X-ray, a radiologist will look at the scan to determine if there are areas of concern. One thing that can show on a CT scan or X-ray is a degree of haziness referred to as opacity.

Opacity on a lung scan can indicate a concern, but the cause can vary. Your doctor may recommend additional testing to determine the exact cause of any potential lung issues.

The outlook and treatment options available will depend on the cause of the opacity.

Lung ground-glass lesion on CT

Chest multispiral computed tomography, or MSCT, considered the most informative method of examining the lungs, doctors can diagnose infectious-inflammatory and oncological diseases at an early stage.

Frosted glasses are characteristic of pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer and other dangerous conditions. Which ones and on what grounds distinguish them? Let’s take a closer look in this article.

What is ground glass?

Frosted glasses are areas of compaction of the lung tissue that transmit X-Ray rays worse. In another way, they are called foci of lung tissue compaction. On tomograms, such areas resemble light spots or cloudy plaque. Ground-glass foci indicate that the alveoli of the lungs are filled with fluid (transudate, blood), and not air. They may also indicate a decrease in lung pneumatization due to fibrotic changes. Alveoli are involved in gas exchange, supply cells with oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, so filling their cavity with a liquid substance or connective tissue cells is unacceptable.

If the total area of ​​”frosted glasses” increases, this indicates a progressive infectious and inflammatory disease. The patient begins to be disturbed by lack of air, shortness of breath, cough.

In what diseases does ground glass appear on tomograms?

According to the Department of Radiation Diagnostics of the Moscow Medical Academy. Sechenov, a picture of “haze” is most often given by pneumonia (viral, bacterial, fungal), however, lung infiltration is also characteristic of other pathological conditions. Here are just a few of them:

• Alveolar proteinosis;
• Pneumonitis;
• Hemorrhage;
• Granulomatosis;
• Alveolar edema;
• Allergic alveolitis;
• Tuberculosis;
• Drug-induced lung injury;
• Lung infarction;
• Viral infection;
• Dermatomyositis;
• Tumors;
• Rheumatoid arteritis;
• Respiratory bronchiolitis with ILD;
• Sjögren’s syndrome;
• Goodpasture’s syndrome;
• Scleroderma.

Evaluating the CT data of the lungs, the radiologist differentiates diseases according to the specific pattern of “ground glasses”: their number, localization, the presence of other signs by which it is possible to determine the cause of pathological changes in lung tissue. For example, bilateral viral pneumonia is characterized by the presence of “ground glasses” located peripherally in the lower and posterior sections of the lungs. In a later stage, consolidation of infiltration foci with thickening of the alveolar septa is observed.

“Ground glasses” in tuberculosis can be located near the bronchi or disseminated – in this case, there are many small light areas (infiltrates), randomly located throughout the lung cavity. Also, with tuberculosis, CT of the lungs can detect characteristic fibrous bands leading to the root of the lung – this is peribronchial inflammation, signs of lymphostasis with an increase in lymph nodes. Single areas of “ground glass” of small size without a clear pattern of any disease may indicate a neoplasm, developing fibrosis, adenocarcinoma (cancer) of the lungs.

Sometimes “ground glasses” indicate vascular pathologies that lead to compression of the alveolar space. Obese patients may develop in gravity-dependent (lower) regions of the lungs when exposed to excess weight. In healthy patients, the effect of “ground glass” can appear on tomograms if the chest scan is performed on exhalation (correctly – on a deep breath).

Ignoring these errors and speaking of the true ground glass syndrome on CT scan of the lungs, we note that this is a sign of non-functional areas of the lungs. Normally, there should be no seals and obstructions for breathing, and the lung tissue is presented on tomograms as a uniform dark color. Very rarely, “frosted glasses” indicate the individual characteristics of the patient’s body, for example, the atypical location of the diaphragm in newborns. But these are isolated cases, so let’s look at the most common disease patterns in which “ground glasses” are found on tomography.

CT ground glass for pneumonia

Most often, “ground glass” on CT is manifested in pneumonia, and it can be absolutely any pneumonia: viral, bacterial, with atypical development of the symptom complex, very rare interstitial, and so on. Since the spectrum of causative agents of pneumonia is extremely wide, and it is not always possible to differentiate lung diseases by a single ground-glass effect, the patient is recommended laboratory diagnostics – a blood test or a respiratory secretion for mycoplasmas, pneumococci, coronavirus and other pathogens.

A common symptom of acute pneumonia on CT is the presence of infiltrates (“ground glasses”) of various shapes and lengths. “Ground glasses” are located around the foci or diffusely, as in tuberculosis. However, unlike tuberculosis, their size is usually larger, there is a tendency for the infiltrates to consolidate and form a “cobblestone” pattern. In some cases, the lumen of the bronchi containing gas is visualized. This is called “air bronchography” syndrome. Combined with the ground glass effect, it is also a clear sign of pneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by COVID-19 is characterized by a peripheral location of lesions under the pleura. The most vulnerable are the bilateral lower lobes and posterior sections of the lungs. There is a tendency to consolidation of “frosted glasses” and thickening of the septa of the alveoli, sometimes signs of pulmonary fibrosis.

Severe forms of coronavirus pneumonia are accompanied by acute respiratory distress syndrome. ARDS is an extensive bilateral inflammation in which there are many infiltrates and pulmonary edema. On the tomograms, fragmentary areas of “frosted glass” of the cortical shape are present on both sides and look like a “patchwork quilt”.

With pneumocystis pneumonia caused by the yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis Jirovecii, a slightly different picture is observed. Ground-glass lung compaction areas are usually located symmetrically on both sides (but sometimes diffusely and unevenly). Seals prevail in the basal areas of the lungs, and diffuse changes – in the upper and lower sections. Pneumocystis pneumonia, as well as viral pneumonia associated with COVID-19, is characterized by the effect of consolidation and the “patchwork quilt” symptom, but other signs are also visible on tomograms of the lungs: air cysts, pneumothorax.

A separate group of diseases is represented by idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, the cause of which cannot be established. In addition to “ground glass” on CT scans of the lungs, you can detect the symptom of “honeycomb lung”, bronchiectasis, reticular changes. Idiopathic pneumonias require histological examination.

Based on the findings of a CT scan of the lungs and the patient’s history, the radiologist will be able to determine the lesion of the lungs, characteristic of pneumonia. As part of the differential diagnosis, the density and shape of “frosted glasses”, their number are taken into account, and the picture is generally evaluated. However, it is possible to determine the causative agent of pneumonia and treatment tactics after additional laboratory diagnostics.

“Gross glass” on CT for tuberculosis

Foci of ground glass infiltration are also found in tuberculosis. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is believed that all adults who have reached the age of 30 are carriers of mycobacterium in a “sleeping” form. When the immune system is suppressed, TB bacteria can become active and the person becomes ill.

In tuberculosis, CT of the lungs usually shows multiple small (miliary) lesions disseminated throughout the lungs. Their concentration in a certain proportion is possible. Often there is an infiltrate in the form of a “track” leading to the root of the lung. There is an increase in lymph nodes. It is possible to finally distinguish tuberculosis from pneumonia based on the results of PCR diagnostics – a blood test for the causative agent of infectious pneumonia.

CT ground glass for pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is a complication of massive inflammation, sepsis, toxic poisoning. Edema often occurs as a complication of chronic and acute lung diseases, a consequence of coronary ischemia, heart failure, pathological failures in the work of other organs and their systems.

With cardiogenic pulmonary edema, along with “ground glasses”, there is a thickening of the interlobar pleura, a mesh deformation of the pulmonary pattern, and the contours of the roots of the lungs are expanded and indistinct.

Additional features of pulmonary edema on CT include enlargement of the pulmonary vessels, dilation of the heart chambers, and fluid in the pleural cavity.

Ground glass for lung adenocarcinoma (cancer)

The effect of “ground glass” on CT of the lungs determines malignant neoplasms – lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of tumor; a significant “trigger” for its formation is smoking, heredity, age (over 40 years).

Tumor adenocarcinoma is formed from cells of the glandular epithelium. On the tomogram, it is represented by a single, usually small (from 2 mm) area of ​​\u200b\u200bdensification of the “ground glass” type. In some cases, the patient has several “frosted glasses” of a diffuse or diffuse-mosaic type. Adenocarcinoma is represented by various morphological subtypes and requires dynamic monitoring.

Do not attempt to interpret the images yourself. To identify “frosted glasses” and give them a differentiated assessment can only be a specialized doctor, a specialist who has been trained and has an appropriate certificate.

Text prepared by

Maksim Anatolievich Kotov, Chief Physician of the Ami CT Center, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor. Experience 21 years

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Ground glass symptom on computed tomography

Differential diagnosis

A moderately pronounced increase in the density of lung tissue or a symptom of “ground glass” (English: ground glass opacity) is found quite often on computed tomography of the chest organs.

This non-specific radiological symptom occurs in many pathologies, from viral pneumonia to bruising, pulmonary infarction, and the consequences of vaping. Only a combination of laboratory data and the patient’s clinical condition will help to make the correct diagnosis.

The causes of compaction of the lung tissue according to the type of “frosted glass” can be divided into acute and chronic. Among the acute causes are infectious (atypical bacterial and viral infections), alveolar bleeding, pulmonary edema, diffuse alveolar damage, pulmonary embolism, and some neoplasms.

Let us consider under what diseases visualization on CT can occur according to the “ground glass” type.

Alveolar bleeding

Pathology develops when the alveolar-capillary membranes of small pulmonary vessels are damaged, due to which blood accumulates in the alveoli and gas exchange is disturbed.

The reasons may be:

• Inhalation of toxins;
• Wegener’s granulomatosis;
• Thrombolytic therapy;
• Systemic lupus erythematosus;
• Mitral valve pathologies

and many others.

When x-rays, there is a diffuse decrease in the airiness of the lung tissue, to a greater extent in the middle sections of the lungs. The CT picture largely depends on the time elapsed since the onset of the hemorrhage.

The acute period is characterized mainly by compaction of the ground glass type with a distinct visualization on CT of segmental and subsegmental bronchi. A few days later, thickened inter- and intralobular septa are added to the changes.

Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is a pathological condition caused by an increase in the content of extravascular fluid in the lungs (in the interstitium and / or in the alveoli).

Clinical forms of pulmonary edema:

• Cardiogenic – in diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• Non-cardiogenic – with distress syndrome, taking certain drugs (heroin, salicylates, etc.).

Visualization using tomography and radiography is characterized by plethora of the upper lobes, an increase in the cardiothoracic index, thickening of the interlobular fissures, ground-glass confluent seals in the lungs on CT, areas of consolidation with a relatively symmetrical distribution in the central sections, and bilateral hydrothorax, more often predominant on the right.

Viral pneumonia

Viruses are the most common causative agents of respiratory infections.

Cytomegalovirus usually causes an asymptomatic infection or mild flu-like symptoms. The predominant radiological findings are bilateral and asymmetrical ground-glass opacities, small, poorly defined centrilobular nodules, and alveolar consolidations, combined with thickening of the interlobular septa.

Influenza virus (h2N1) causes seasonal infections of the respiratory tract, including the trachea and bronchi. They can be intermittent, endemic or pandemic. The main tomographic findings are unilateral or bilateral ground-glass opacities that may be associated with focal or multifocal areas of consolidation. Changes have predominantly peribronchovascular and subpleural distribution, similar to organizing pneumonia.

In March 2020, COVID-19 reached pandemic levels. The most dangerous complication of the disease is viral pneumonia. In coronavirus-associated pneumonia, bilateral ground-glass opacities, with or without opacities, are also seen on CT and x-rays, usually with peripheral extension in the posterior segments, areas of consolidation, and cobblestone patches.

Lung infarction

The main cause of the disease is pulmonary thromboembolism. Diagnosis in the acute phase is carried out in accordance with the protocol of laboratory and clinical tests.

Computed tomography angiography according to a special protocol is the gold standard for visual diagnostics, in which there is insufficient filling of the pulmonary artery and / or its branches.

Findings in lung parenchymal infarction include reversed halo opacification (peripheral consolidation and central ground glass opacification) that is wedge-shaped, with the base facing the pleura and the apex facing the hilum.

Lung contusion

In the case of a chest injury, a chest x-ray is the first study performed to evaluate pneumothorax. In negative cases, further examination with a CT scan of the chest is recommended. This method has greater sensitivity and specificity for trauma-related changes.

Pulmonary contusion is the most common lesion in non-penetrating chest injuries. It is defined as a traumatic lesion of the alveoli with alveolar hemorrhage, but without significant rupture of the alveoli.

The consequences of lung contusion by computed tomography can be visualized after 6 hours, and the resolution stage begins after 24-48 hours.

Examination of the chest organs is characterized by ground-glass opacities on CT and/or uneven seals located subpleurally (in the area of ​​traumatic impact) or on the opposite side (counterreactive injury).

Evali

Evali is a new vaping disease, a non-communicable disease associated with the consumption of electronic cigarettes. The most common finding on CT with a confirmed diagnosis of EVALI is multifocal or diffuse ground-glass opacity. The prevalence of changes often exceeds similar manifestations in subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis or pneumonia

Output

Ground glass opacity on computed tomography is not a rare pathology and a nonspecific symptom.