Question:

Hx: 66 y.o.w.m. never smoked and in v. good health. Went to Dr w/cough of 3 wks. He ended up doing a CHX which showed small lingula infiltrate, no pleural effusion. G.P called it pneumonia & put me on antibiotics & said sometimes “this” is slow to clear. Gave me Rx to repeat in 6 wks – wants to make sure nothing behind the “haze” altho not too worried since not a smoker. 

New CHX shows mild lingular airspace dx with no significant change; decreased lung inflation accentuates pulmon vascular markings; heart & lung are otherwise unremarkable. 

Question: 1) What the heck does all this mean and should I be worried? I read that common airspace dx consists of pneumonia (exudate), pulm edema fluid, pulm hemorr and aspiration gasric juices but there are other concerns. 

2) Dr wants to do CT Chest w/contrast — not too keen on rad exposure since I`ve had CT-abd (neg) and CT-sinus in last yr. Has pneu. been r/o or still in the fray? Statistically, what is most probable final dx w/this xray impression, w/info thus far? 

3) lastly, would an exposure to plaster/spackling sanding w/o a mask last summer and breathing in that fine dust (5-10 minutes)be something I should mention or a possible cause of problem? 

Thanks a ton for any explanations,thoughts and insights!!! By-the-way, are there any pulmonary txs for certain types of “airspace dx?”

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. On this site, we try to answer general questions about health but cannot diagnose or recommend treatment. You appear to have some very specific questions, but unfortunately, there is no way for me to answer them without examining you.

Your questions about the testing results you have been given are good ones that need to be directed to your treating physician(s). You should insist that they answer these questions in a way that you are able to understand before consenting to any treatment. If your physician is unable to help you understand these issues, you should get a second opinion. Take care.

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