This is an automatically translated article.
Article by Doctor Pham Quoc Thanh - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
Chest X-ray is indicated as a routine laboratory test by clinicians to evaluate abnormalities and pathological lesions of the lungs. Normal chest X-ray will be evaluated in detail by specialized doctors. When the chest X-ray shows a opacity, it means that the lung image is abnormal.
1. What is a smeared lung?
Through chest x-ray images, it is not possible to determine what the causes of the faint spots in the lungs are, it may be a scar after the lung parenchyma is infected, or an irritant in the air, lung cancer .
However, lung opacity is quite common, not all is a sign of dangerous pathology because half of all adults when taking X-rays have a opacity in the lungs.
2. Is a chest x-ray with a blur a normal or dangerous expression?
Chest X-ray with opacity is done like a regular X-ray. Diagnosis of pulmonary opacities requires comparison of standard X-ray images of upright and inclined positions, compared with previous images.
Faint nodule on chest x-ray is usually seen larger than 2cm in diameter. In general, small nodules do not cause any significant problems. They are too small to cause pain or difficulty breathing.
Hình ảnh X-quang phổi bình thường
Most nodules in the lung are not cancerous, but in rare cases nodules can represent an early-stage cancer.
But if the lung opacities are malignant, or calcified lung parenchyma, beware of the following dangerous pathologies:
Carcinoma : Pulmonary opacities in peripheral solid carcinoma, often present in the disease cancer at an early stage. Metastatic nodules: are often numerous and concentrated in the lower half of the two lungs. Pulmonary infarction : Faded triangular nodule, fading into the center of the nodule, located below the pleura. Abnormal vascular nodules in the arteries - veins : The morphology of the nodules is varied, with vascular feeding or drainage for the nodule. Other hemangiomas: triangular opacities, located in the path of the pulmonary basal vessels, are common in the setting of vasculitis. Benign neoplasm: usually Harmatoma.
To diagnose the pathological cause of benign pulmonary nodules and rule out early cancers, X-ray should be combined with computed tomography, which helps to evaluate:
Find calcified lesions and other abnormalities. Other lesions if present, evaluate lung tissues. Morphology, structure, nature, size, and degree of solidity of opacities. Evaluate hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes. For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to combine with computed tomography, a transthoracic biopsy.
3. Determination of morphological analysis of lung opacities
When detecting lung opacities, it is necessary to first determine and analyze the morphological analysis of lung opacities such as: size, contour, shape, ... combined with medical history, smoking, work to assess risk disease. The morphological cases of lung opacities are as follows:3.1. Benign opacities of the lung
Hình ảnh Xquang Phổi có vết mờ (hình tròn)
Characteristics of benign lung smears are as follows:
Round opacities, less than 3cm in diameter. Blurred nodules have an even border. The blotch does not grow in size, for at least 2 years. In addition, a calcified nodule can be seen in the center of the nodule, occupying about 10% of the volume. Calcified nodules are usually popcorn-shaped, arranged in layers and clusters.
Benign opacities are quite common, not dangerous, but still need periodic monitoring, 3 - 6 months to make sure this opacity does not grow large or new faint lung marks appear.
Benign opacities are common in people under 35 years of age, living and working healthily, and do not smoke.
3.2. Malignant opacities Characteristics of malignant opacities are as follows:
Faint nodules over 3 cm in diameter. Uneven margins, possibly calcified. Faded nodules double in a short time (maybe 1 month or longer 1-2 years). The calcifications are small, punctate, and occupy about 10% of the nodule volume. Malignant opacities are commonly seen in people over 35 years of age who are frequent smokers.
When these signs are present, the patient needs to perform other tests to accurately assess the nature of the faint lung mark such as: transthoracic biopsy, bronchoscopy, surgery,...
3.3. Calcification of lung parenchyma Pulmonary calcification has many forms such as:
Popcorn form Benign eccentric form 3.4. The advanced form of pulmonary fibrosis will have calcification around the fibrous mass. Reticular and dotted: 6% of primary lung cancers. Cancer develops on the background of old scars, deposits of calcium,... Isolated form: It is a simple, centrally located, benign nodule (granulomatous infection with tuberculosis). Focal form with many nodules: pneumonia, tuberculosis infection hg +.
X quang phổi có tổn thương dải xơ thùy trên phổi phải (vòng tròn vàng)
4. Cardiopulmonary X-ray at Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital is currently one of the hospitals in the Vinmec international hospital system equipped with modern machinery and equipment to serve the medical examination and treatment process.
Patients performing cardiopulmonary resection at Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital will be clearly guided by the support staff and technical staff on the manipulations and procedures to minimize exposure. X-ray exposure to reduce the impact on the health of the photographer, ensuring the best diagnostic image.
If your X-ray image has any abnormality, the doctors will consult promptly and offer an effective treatment plan.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the nationwide Vinmec Health System Hotline, or register online HERE.
