lung nodules

[teebrd1]

I am recovering from varicella pneumonia. I am very lucky to be alive. I was on a vent for one week, and in the hosp. for a month. I'm just curious, I recently had a cat scan, and was told I have lung nodules, is this damage from what I went through or is it more serious. They are 3mm & 8mm in size.

[Jay000]

From what I understand, almost all nodules this size are benign. I'm no Dr., but have researched this plenty as I have a 3 mm nodule that has been stable for a year. So far so good. If you type in lung nodule on this site there is plenty of info. God Bless.

[DavidSch]

Hello,
I am really worried about this report from the doctor. I am a male 44 years old.  I had my gall bladder out 1.5 years ago.

I was having really bad stomach pains, my upper left side radiating to my back. I went to my doctor when I could not take the pain anymore. The doctor took one look at me and told me to call 911, but before we call 911, I want to do an EKG. She is my ST waves and T waves were not right, go to the hospital. I was ok so I called 911. They too me ER and did an EKG on the way. The EMT's both thought that I was having an heart attack. The doctor did an EKG at the hospital, said it was ok, don't worry. Did blood work, everything was fine, but my potassium was a little low.

I called to the hospital when I got out to ask a question because I was not feeling well again and I heard this advertisement for a heart CT scan for 125.00 dollars. I said what the heck. I went in, they scanned me. Told me there was 0 percent calcium build-up. I was on my way home.

I opened my mail today from the hospital thinking everything was fine. For their final report, the finals findings showed:
There is an approximately 2mm non calcified pulmonary nodule in the lingula. The visualized lung fields are otherwise clear and mediastinum is normal. The pericardium is normal.

What does the 2mm non calcified pulmonary nodule in the lingula mean? I hope to g-d it is not cancer?

Sincerely,
David S.
***@****

[National Jewish Health]

The CT scan pattern you describe is the classical pattern seen with Varicella pneumonia and, even with clinical improvement, may persist for months.  In addition, after the acute pneumonia has resolved, calcified nodules 1 to 2 mm in size may persist indefinitely.  These are usually deemed to be of no significance and definitely not a sign of persistent or unresolved pneumonia.  Most pulmonary function usually returns to normal but the so-called diffusion capacity may remain reduced.  Fortunately, this is of no clinical significance, unless compounded by other lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by cigarette smoking.  This was a scary illness but your prognosis is good.  You should also discuss these concerns with your pulmonary specialist.