nodules on the lungs

I was diagnosed with brochietisis on top of emphisema last year following a CT scan showing nodules on my lungs. The consultant said in the end there was nothing to worry about but no follow up xray has been organised. Is this usual?

[Carnival567]

I had a scan for nodules earlier this year and most turned out to be lymph nodes in the lung, just one needs to be observed regularly, which is normal treatment. In that case they do another scan after six months and if there is no change another after a year. I expect an expert radiologist has looked and decided everything is normal so no more is to be done, but if you are really concerned ring your consultant's secretary and ask if you can have a fuller explanation, or go to your GP, or both. Hope that helps.

[Hidden in reply to Carnival567]

thanks carnival but that is what is worrying me. The hospital got mixed up with an xray and a ct scan with contrast and I didn't see the consultant following the ct scan as the appts were then mixed up. I have approached my GP as for my peace of mind I would like a follow up ct scan as none have been arranged and it is over a year now. I thought there should be another ct scan.

[Carnival567 in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear, sounds a real muddle and very inefficient. Have you got another consultant appointment due? Did anyone say anything about it? If you have no appointment I would be inclined to ring the secretary and ask her to find out for you, or you could write to your consultant too and ask what is going to happen next. Have you actually been discharged by the hospital? If not I suggest having a tantrum and insisting on an appointment, and if you have tell your GP you would like a second opinion, preferably at another hospital. If all this sounds daunting you could start with PALS at the hospital. They are usually very helpful. I have been through various events like this and usually the consultant hasn't the faintest idea what is going on and it is admin that is in a mess. (See my recent posts about letters being written but not posted to me until I phoned after waiting 4 months) I wish you luck and hope you get it all sorted out soon. Good luck xx

[girliegirl2012 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Fawhaw, I would recommend like you said, to ask for another CT Lung Scan. I would have it done at the same facility so they can compare it to your baseline original. Have the technician verify that the old scan results are available for comparison. Personally, I would ask for a copy of the first scan's report for myself. If anything did happen to be mixed, then would be your chance to straighten it out. Now with all of that said, I will say this....a CT Scan and an Xray are two very different things. All procedures must have a physician's order and it would be in the computer. Here in the US, the actual scan or raw data is collected thorough the scanner and sent to the "Reading Radiologist." Then the scan is download and filed and a copy of the generated report is sent to the ordering physician. So it would be highly unlikely for a scan and an xray to become crossed.

Now fawhaw, Practically everyone,especially smokers have lung nodules. That does not mean they are cancerous. It is when one begins to grow is when it becomes a concern. So, don't panic. All of my experiences with scans, nodules, biopsies, etc. points to once a year scan. Then, if something ugly turns up,that a nodule has grown, a biopsy would be ordered. Now the nodules that remain unchanged, they consider those "stable" and still will be compared at every scan. Hoped I've help explain it so you can understand how it works just a little better. Live your life and don't worry so much. It will give you wrinkles!!

[Hidden]

thanks for your help