prominent lung hilum
September 2, 2010 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
Dear Sir or Madam,
I received the result "prominent hilum on the left side" after a chest X-ray. The only explanation I could find online for this is an enlargement of the lymph nodes due to bronchial carcinoma. Am I correct in assuming this (in which case, I would like to be wrong)?
The X-ray was done because of a persistent cough for about 6 weeks.
An abdominal CT scan is planned.
I am 50 years old and have not smoked for over 16 years.
Other known medical conditions include: history of urinary tract infection in 1994, multiple PTCA with stent, LDL apheresis since 1994 due to elevated Lp(a).
Thank you for your effort.
Sincerely,
Dear inquirer,
I believe I can give you some hope for now.
A prominent lung hilum is initially just a descriptive formulation in the X-ray report. This does not indicate whether it is benign or malignant, nor does it specify what is actually enlarged there. In the so-called lung hilum, the left and right main bronchi branch off. In addition to the branching bronchial trees, lymphatic vessels and nodes, as well as the pulmonary arteries and veins, are also found. In general, an enlargement of the hilum can be due to a widening of the bronchi, or a thickening of the blood vessels. This description is chosen so that a colleague can know how much the structures in this region are enlarged even without an X-ray image. The scale ranges from normal hilum, minimally enlarged hilum and/or prominent hilum, enlarged hilum, to pathologically enlarged hilum if lymph node packets can clearly be seen in the X-ray image, indicating bronchial carcinoma, or if the enlargement exceeds normal limits. Your description simply states that the left hilum is visibly protruding. As mentioned above, this could have other causes, but in your case with 6 weeks of coughing and a smoking history, it is reason enough to take a closer look (with a CT scan) to see what is behind it. Even if the lymph nodes are responsible, there are also many infectious causes or autoimmune diseases that could be the underlying cause. Lymph node metastases in lung cancer are just one of many possibilities. So keep at it, and don't be too frightened, as in most cases there are also less concerning causes for a "prominent" hilum.
Best wishes,
Dr. R. Berg
