Connect
Cavities on CT scan but no MAC in sputum cultures
Does anyone have a cavity (I have 2 small ones and 1 new one) and never tested positive for MAC? I've tested negative for fungus as well, only Haemophilous showed up earlier this year. I cough a lot, much mucus, even with the daily clearance of two 7% sessions & ACTs. My doctors at NJH have no answers and suggest a bronchoscopy. Since my cough and SOB are worsening, and with no other signs of an exasperation, I'm stumped.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
Did you ever have to have a biopsy on any of them?
@maxraether
I’m surprised you’ve been treated for recurrent pseudomonas infections with just one week of antibiotics. I don’t have pseudomonas myself, but many folks here on the forum report much longer treatments.
I wonder if the pseudomonas could be causing your cavities?
Best,
Leslie
I was tested two years ago and they found pseudomonas. I’ve haven’t been tested since. Two yrs ago is when they found the cavities and they just did a repeated CT scan the following year. One cavity stayed the same and this other decreased in size some. Had the yearly scan again in Oct and that’s when one grew some. Now the doctor wants me to give a couple sputum samples again. Sometimes I have a hard time getting the phlegm up.
Thanks for asking!!
@sueinmn None of the pulmonologist that I have seen mentioned that the infection/infections could cause cavities due to destroyed lung tissue caused by infections. I don't have cavities as yet, but why they don't educate us about all aspects of what can happen if an infection is found, etc......is beyond me.
Glad I posted the info and glad I found my way to reading it.
Thanks Sue.
Barbara
@blm1007blm1007 They don't want to scare us! Not everyone gets them, and if they tell people about it, the go home and consult Dr Google...
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsOf course I Googled it (my doctor said to stop that and you can’t trust everything it says). It says certain infections cause cavities and even Bronchiectasis can 🤷♀️. I’ve had them for two years.
@maxraether If you really want to search, try scholar.google.com - far more reliable and fact-based.
I have never heard that Bronchiectasis alone can cause cavities, I may look further about that.
Other bacterial infections can also cause cavities. Some of these pathogens are not regularly cultured, and others might be non-culturable and require identification through gene sequencing.
Warm regards,
Linda Esposito
Did the doctor want to biopsy any of them? My pulmonologist wants to wait 6 months to see if they’ve grown and then he suggested biopsy. Biopsy makes me nervous thinking he’s looking for something much worse like cancer.