Centrilobular emphysema - help with interpreting CT scan please

[SarahBa]

Hello, I have just joined this forum re lung conditions and this is my first post here.

I had a CT scan and I would be very grateful for help interpreting what was written on the report please and what I need to do. Is it simply a case of doing some lung exercises or will I require follow ups?

My CT scan was for a nodule that they were keeping an eye on (which seems benign) but this time emphysema was found.

The following is taken from my report:

There is trivial upper lobe predominant paraseptal and centrilobular emphysema. No significant bronchial wall thickening or bronchiesctasis. Retained secretion seen in the right middle lobe peripherally. No segmental atelectasis.

I am female and aged 49. I have never smoked and have never had any issues with my lungs, i.e. I do not suffer from breathlessness. I did have an operation approximately a year ago which required a general anaesthetic and was given a little machine for lung exercises. Could my operation have caused this?

Any advice as to what I need to do to ensure it doesn't progress (if that is possible) would be appreciated. I read that sometimes emphysema is found at a late stage but as this has been found at a really early stage I'm not sure what I should do with this information so that I look after my health.

Thank you very much for any replies.

[B0xermad]

Good morning sarahBa, welcome to the site although I have emphysema I am unsure whether yours sounds a very complex diagnosis to unravel.I am sure someone on here has some helpful information about what you need to know regarding yours specifically.

[Izb1]

Hi SarahBa and welcome to the site. I cant answer your query as I dont know enough about emphysema but I am sure there are plenty on here who can. I am sure the person who ordered the scan will do a follow up if not contact your gp x

[CDPO16]

Hi Sarah, I can't answer your query. Perhaps you could arrange an appointment with your GP to discuss the implications of your scan.

[eleanordigby]

Lots of reassuring words like “trivial” and no this, no that, so it sounds very mild as you say. You could phone the helpline and get advice on keeping it like that from one of the nurses, they’re very helpful. I just looked up their phone no it’s 0300 222 5800

[Alberta56]

Welcome to the forum, Sarah. I have bronchiectasis so I can't help you with particulars, but the life style advised for both conditions is similar, ie. eat healthily, remain as active as possible and don't smoke. (I would guess you do most of these things anyway, but it's a good reason to indulge in expensive fruit, say.) Mild emphysema should take years to develop. (My dad had it in his old age and it progressed slowly in spite of the lack of knowledge in those days about how to treat it, and he was never able to give up smoking.) Don't bother to consult Dr. Google, who feeds the unwary frightening and inaccurate information. Best wishes and good luck.

[Ergendl]

I was diagnosed with COPD in 2015 after getting breathless at the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife. After lots of heart investigations, I chose not to have further tests to confirm the lung diagnosis as I had had enough visits to the hospital when I didn't feel particularly unwell.

As I don't have a productive cough, it seems I've got the emphysema component of COPD rather than the chronic bronchitis component. My previous husband had both, and it was probably because of his smoking that my lungs developed COPD despite giving up smoking in 1985.

I started out with a Moderate diagnosis, and was given Serevent and Ventolin inhalers, which I still use, Serevent twice a day and Ventolin as required. I followed the advice and suggestions of people on this lovely site, to improve my physical fitness, eat more healthily, take my meds, and avoid my triggers like smoke and petrol fumes. I also run a weekly singing for lung health group. At my last check up (before Covid struck) my diagnosis had improved to the bottom of the normal range for someone my age, height and sex. This doesn't mean I don't have a lung problem, it just means that much of the time I don't notice it.

The best bit of advice I got here was from Toci, who warned us not to commit suicide by sofa.

Wishing you all the best.