NetWellness Lung Center

Lung Scarring

Jeff Weiland MD — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST

Question: One year ago, I was diagnosed with pleural effusion which caused me to undergo operation like thoracentesis and chest tube. Now, I am feeling a bit of pain on my chest when taking a deep breath. I am afraid that pleural effusion might come back. I also read about lung scarring and I think that it fa . . .

Answer: Your symptoms could represent a return of the effusion, but it is also not uncommon to have a "catching" with deep breathing after the procedure you underwent. It all depends on what was the cause of the original effusion. A simple chest x-ray can answer the question.

Ask an Expert: Jeff Weiland MD, Lung Center

Bullae in Both Lungs

Elizabeth Allen MD — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:12:00 EST

Question: My 6 year old son was seen in the ER for viral symptoms and a CT was ordered to rule out an appendix problem and was diagnosed with bullae bilaterally in the bases of the lungs. He is active and has never had shortness of breath. What is the prognosis for some one so young diagnosed with this?

. . .

Answer: Bullae at the bases of both lungs are quite unusual in a healthy 6- year-old with no previous history of pneumonia. It is difficult to say what this might mean without seeing the films. I do know that 6- year-olds are often not good at holding their breath while going through a CT scanner. If the . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Allen MD, Lung Center

Industrial Strength Bleach Fumes

J Crawford PhD, RN — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:12:00 EST

Question: i accidentally sprayed industrial strength bleach on my windows 4 days ago(picked up the wrong bottle) and now my whole apartment smells with bleach fumes. which is bothering my allergy induced asthma. i have been keeping the windows down trying to air every thing out but it doesnt seem to be cleari . . .

Answer: One thing you can do is use vinegar on the windows to neutralize the basic (in a chemical sense) chlorine bleach. Let the vinegar sit for a while and then wash with water. Whatever you do, DO NOT use ammonia (it could be lethal).

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Lung Center

Lung Carcinoid Tumorlets

Patrick Nana-Sinkam MD — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:11:00 EST

Question: I had a lung biopsy and have been diagnosed with carcinoid tumorletts in both of my lungs and I am scared and confused about this dignosis as I have been told there is no real cure for this condtion. I am living a misrable life due to a constant cough every day, shortness of breath and feeling weak . . .

Answer: Thank you for your question. Very little is known regarding the causes of carcinoid tumorlets of the lung, and they are often an incidental finding on lung biopsy. They can, however, be associated with inflammatory and fibrotic conditions of the lung. Cough and shortness of breath can occur with tum . . .

Ask an Expert: Patrick Nana-Sinkam MD, Lung Center

Is a CT Scan Needed?

Jeff Weiland MD — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:11:00 EST

Question: I was treated for pneumonia one month ago. Two chest xrays (one month ago and again this week) show "increased markings along the right middle lobe consistent with some atelectasis, bronchiectasis, or other scarring." No abnormalities appeared on xray taken in 2008. Should I have a CT scan . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. Chest X-rays may remain abnormal for up to 2 months after pneumonia. I would wait several months and only proceed to CT if abnormalities persist.

Ask an Expert: Jeff Weiland MD, Lung Center

Scars on the Lungs due to Previous Infection

Robert Schilz DO, PhD — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:11:00 EST

Question: Dear Sir/Madam, Kindly help me with this because it is really very important. I reside in India,I was Infected with TB around 3 Yrs. ago, which was well treated then after a medicine course of 9 months.I was recently offered a Job in the Middle East ,before relocating I was required to get a medical . . .

Answer:

The case described appears to be classic for pulmonary tuberculosis with upper lobe involvement in an endemic area. This appears to have been appropriately treated (although I do not have knowledge of the regimen) with resolution of symptoms and scarring. The time frame appears to be quite signif . . .

Ask an Expert: Robert Schilz DO, PhD, Lung Center

Diagnosing Report of Chest Xray

Jeff Weiland MD — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:10:00 EST

Question: 62 year old women with severe cough for last 4 weeks. Xray report states "Heart size is at the upper limits of normal. The lung and pleural spaces are clear with no collapse, consolidation or discrete pulmonary mass lesion. There is also an eventration of the anterior aspect of the right hemi-d . . .

Answer:

Eventration of the diaphragm is a normal variant, seen commonly. It just means that part of the diaphragm has a "different" shape.

Ask an Expert: Jeff Weiland MD, Lung Center

Asthma /Thick Mucus

Jennifer McCallister MD — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:10:00 EST

Question:

i am 76 years old male having chronic asthama since childhood.during change of seasons, i develop congestion of my chest due to cold & cough. during this period ordinary medicine like deriphyline/unnicontin and sero flow do not give relief. please tell me what medicine will help me and prec . . .

Answer: It is common for patients with asthma to experience worsening of symptoms at the times of season changes, often related to environmental allergies.

Although it is beyond the scope of this forum to provide specific treatment recommendations, I would suggest you talk with your asthma care . . .

Ask an Expert: Jennifer McCallister MD, Lung Center

BOOP

Robert Schilz DO, PhD — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:10:00 EST

Question: Hi. I�m a 37 year old danish woman. I was diagnoses with BOOP in august and I�m i treatment with Prednisolon. My question is, when I�m done with the treatment, is the BOOP the gone forever or is there a risk that it will return? I also got a bloodclod i my lung 4 weeks ago, do you think that just wa . . .

Answer: Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia or BOOP has now been termed - Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), the idiopathic form of organizing pneumonia.

It represents an inflammatory lung condition which may occur in response to many factors or truly be idiopathic without obvious . . .

Ask an Expert: Robert Schilz DO, PhD, Lung Center

Small Nodular Focus/On-End Vessel

Jeff Weiland MD — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:10:00 EST

Question: the result of my second opinion from my chest xray was "an inconsistent right upper lung small nodular focus is noted believed to be an on-end vessel. May also do an oblique supplimental view if warranted. Is this a serious illness? what are the causes and symptoms of this findings? is there a . . .

Answer: It sounds as if they cannot decide if there is a small nodule in the lung or if they are just visualizing a normal vessel on end. A different view of the chest (oblique) or CT scan would probably give an answer.

Ask an Expert: Jeff Weiland MD, Lung Center