Connect
← Return to Plugs vs nodules vs cavitations
Discussion
Plugs vs nodules vs cavitations
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Feb 1 12:36am | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
Hi there,
This interactive by Insmed explains 'nodules' and cavitary BE really well which are a mass of macrophages that have been deployed by the body to fight off infection.
Insmed Interactive: https://www.aboutntm.com/inside-the-lung-damage/
Click on 'Deep Dive' because it goes into more detail and there are some videos throughout.
As to whether nodules turn into cavities, I'm not sure how that works, but not nodules don't necessarily turn into cavities.
The distinction between nodules and 'plugs' seen on a CT scan is a great question and would be interested to hear how radiologists characterize each or differentiate between the two. I suppose if it's a 'tree and bud' formation, the bud might be the nodule and the tree branch might be visualized as the opaque areas impacted by mucus plugs or sputum.
Replies to "Hi there, This interactive by Insmed explains 'nodules' and cavitary BE really well which are a..."
Your the first person i have seen that has even mentioned the "tree and bud" formation seen on the xrays. My pulmonologist has described it that exact way to me. What i want to know and no one mentions is, does that formation go away with treatment? I am a asymptomatic MAI patient. No mucus, sputum, no cough. My doctor says my chest xrays will always look different from the scarring left behind, even after i have negative cultures.
Connect
I have looked at a lot of lung CTs recently but don't remember having
seen "plugs" .
Or nodules in the context of bronchiectasis.
I read about
cylindrical (tubular) bronchiectasis (45%)
cystic bronchiectasis (most common in children) (45%)
varicose bronchiectasis (10%)
multiple types (25%)
[tension bronchiectasis] which some say should not count as bronchiectasis
but not about
"nodular bronchiectasis" and "cavitational bronchiectasis"
it's about the bronchii, which are "cavities" anyway, they are dark on CT.
The walls can be thickened then they show white on CTs
I'd like to see on CTs plugs or all that mucus being coughed up here.
Where is it ? Presumably in the (widend) distant bronchioles