what to look for in a chest x ray for pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in one or both of the lungs and may exist caused past a virus, leaner, fungi or other germs.
Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and employ chest x-ray, chest CT, chest ultrasound, or needle biopsy of the lung to help diagnose your condition. Your physician may further evaluate your condition and lung function using thoracentesis, chest tube placement or image-guided abscess drainage.
- What is pneumonia?
- How is pneumonia diagnosed and evaluated?
- How is pneumonia treated?
- Which exam, procedure or treatment is best for me?
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in i or both of the lungs. It can be caused by a virus, leaner, fungi or other germs. The infection is commonly acquired when a person breathes in air carrying germs.
Patients with pneumonia could have the following symptoms:
- cough that produces phlegm or sometimes blood
- fever
- shortness of jiff or difficulty animate
- chills or shaking
- fatigue
- sweating
- breast or muscle hurting
Those about at take a chance for developing pneumonia are immature children or people over the age of 65.
People with existing health issues are likewise at increased risk. Take chances factors and circumstances that may increase a person's chances of developing pneumonia include:
- having illnesses such as emphysema, HIV/AIDS or other lung diseases or conditions that affect the allowed system
- having the flu
- exposure to and inhalation of diverse chemicals
- smoking or excessive drinking
- a prolonged stay in the hospital or intensive intendance
- recent surgery
- recent injury
Pneumonia tin can sometimes lead to serious complications, such as respiratory system failure, spread of infections, fluid surrounding the lungs, abscesses or uncontrolled inflammation throughout the body (sepsis). The condition can also exist fatal, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention if y'all are experiencing these symptoms.
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How is pneumonia diagnosed and evaluated?
Your primary doctor volition begin by asking you about your medical history and symptoms. You will also undergo a concrete exam, so that your doctor tin listen to your lungs. In checking for pneumonia, your doctor volition listen for abnormal sounds similar crackling, rumbling or wheezing. If your doctor thinks y'all may have pneumonia, an imaging test may exist performed to confirm the diagnosis.
One or more of the following tests may be ordered to evaluate for pneumonia:
- Breast x-ray : An x-ray examination will permit your md to see your lungs, middle and blood vessels to assist determine if yous have pneumonia. When interpreting the ten-ray, the radiologist will look for white spots in the lungs (called infiltrates) that identify an infection. This exam will also help determine if you have any complications related to pneumonia such every bit abscesses or pleural effusions (fluid surrounding the lungs).
- CT of the lungs : A CT browse of the chest may be done to see finer details inside the lungs and detect pneumonia that may be more than difficult to see on a plainly ten-ray. A CT scan also shows the airway (trachea and bronchi) in neat detail and can help determine if pneumonia may exist related to a trouble within the airway. A CT scan can also show complications of pneumonia, abscesses or pleural effusions and enlarged lymph nodes.
- Ultrasound of the breast : Ultrasound may be used if fluid surrounding the lungs is suspected. An ultrasound examination will help determine how much fluid is present and tin aid in determining the cause of the fluid.
- MRI of the chest : MRI is not by and large used to evaluate for pneumonia just may be used to look at the heart, vessels of the chest and chest wall structures. If the lungs are aberrant because of excess fluid, infection or tumor, an MRI may provide additional data about the cause or extent of these abnormalities.
- Needle biopsy of the lung : Your doctor may request a biopsy of your lung(s) to decide the cause of pneumonia. This process involves removing several pocket-size samples from your lung(s) and examining them. Biopsies of the lung can be done using ten-ray, CT, ultrasound and/or MRI.
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How is pneumonia treated?
The post-obit prototype-guided treatments may exist used for pneumonia:
- Thoracentesis : Fluid may exist taken from your breast cavity and studied to aid your doctor make up one's mind which germ is causing your illness. X-ray, CT and/or ultrasound may be used during thoracentesis. The fluid removed during this procedure may likewise help provide symptom relief.
- Chest tube placement : During this procedure, also known as thoracostomy, a sparse plastic tube is inserted into the pleural infinite (the area between the chest wall and lungs. The tube can help remove backlog fluid or air. The process is performed under the guidance of CT or ultrasound.
- Image-guided abscess drainage : Prototype-guidance helps straight placement of a needle into the abscess crenel and can help during insertion of a drainage tube. If an abscess has formed in the lungs, information technology may be drained past inserting a small drainage tube (catheter). Image guidance, including fluoroscopy, ten-ray, ultrasound or CT, is used.
Each of these tests will help your doctor farther evaluate your lungs and lung role or aid make up one's mind the type of germ causing your pneumonia.
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This page was reviewed on Feb, 08, 2021
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