shortness of breath

[sammy4]

I had a chest xray for shortness of breath.  The result said:  "Mild, diffused interstitial prominence.  Much of this density may be chronic and much of the density may also be related to poor inspiration.  It would be difficult to rule out mild, acute interstitial infiltrates in this patient."  Can you please tell me what this means in terms that I will understand.  Thank you.

[National Jewish]

It means that the findings on your chest x-ray are subtle and hard to interpret with certainty.  The apparent abnormalities could be real or just the result of a poor inspiration or poor x-ray technique.  The first step is to have a repeat chest x-ray.  This time take the deepest breath that you can.  Then have the x-ray interpreted by a radiologist with lots of experience at interpreting chest x-rays.  You should also ask your doctor if he/she hears any abnormal sounds coming from your lungs through the stethoscope, especially if these are in the area of the chest x-ray abnormality.

If the second chest x-ray is even slightly abnormal and/or the physical exam is abnormal, you should have a CT scan of the lungs.  If this confirms abnormal shadows in your lungs, you may have to have a lung biopsy.  You should also have pulmonary function tests performed as part of the evaluation of your shortness of breath.

[snappy]

THERE'S TWO PEOPLE THAT NEED TO KNOW THIS.  IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEA LET US KNOW.