Information about the lung findings
February 23, 2015 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ive Dr. Schaaf
Dear Doctor,
I have been on sick leave for about 4 weeks. First, I had the flu for two weeks, with a high fever of 40 degrees for 10 days, without coughing and sneezing, only body aches and headaches. My lungs were checked with no abnormalities (they were clear). After that, I went back to work for 3 days. Then I had a relapse, with a fever of around 38 degrees, coughing, and sneezing. I have already gone through three rounds of antibiotics during this time.
Last Friday, my lungs were checked again, with suspicion of bronchitis. Today, I had a chest X-ray.
I would like you to explain the findings to me in a professional manner. Furthermore, I would like you to consider whether I should get a special salt inhaler (nebulizer). I am a smoker and smoke around 20 cigarettes a day. I want to make sure I can prevent another relapse. I am still on sick leave this week.
Radiologist's report:
Clinical information:
Bronchitis
Findings:
Margins and diaphragms are clearly defined on both sides. Heart is centrally positioned and slender. Prominent hila configuration. Dilated bronchial walls at both hila. Normal lung transparency. Symmetrical thoracic skeleton.
Assessment:
Significant peribronchitis. No infiltrate, no congestion, no effusion.
I would appreciate a detailed explanation.
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Margins and diaphragms are clearly defined on both sides.
... There is a normal finding regarding the boundaries of the lungs. The edges should be smooth and they are.
Heart intermediate slim.
... The heart is of normal size and in the correct location.
Prominent hilum configuration.
... The branching area of the lungs into the right and left bronchi is clearly visible as usual.
Widened bronchial walls on both sides of the hilum.
... In the branching area, the walls of the bronchi are thickened.
Normal lung transparency.
... The permeability for X-rays is normal, so there are no "holes" or "thickenings", everything is okay.
Symmetrical thoracic skeleton.
... The bones that surround the lungs have a normal shape.
Assessment:
Significant peribronchitis.
... Significant inflammatory reaction in the area of the bronchi.
No infiltrate,
... No shadowing on the lungs
no congestion,
... No fluid accumulation in the lungs
no effusion.
... No fluid accumulation between the lungs and ribs.
Explanation: The air passes through the trachea towards the lungs. Since we have two lung lobes, the trachea must branch. The trachea is called bronchus (left and right) after this branching. The airways then continue to divide and get smaller, also getting different names. Your inflammation in the area of the bronchi is therefore essentially at the entrance to the lungs.
Do you have any further questions?
Best regards,
Dr. Schaaf
