goundglass densities

Posted by irenepooh86 @irenepooh86, Nov 21, 2022

can someone help me to understanad my results from chest ct? im concerned right now i dont have a dr.appointment, maybe you guys can help? { The bilateral lungs demonstrate diffuse groundglass densities with differential diagnoses that would include volume overload,pneumonitis and small airway disease. There are right upper and middle lobe bandlike densities representing ateletatic changes. }

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 21, 2022

@irenepooh86 - Welcome to Mayo Connect, a large community of patients and caregivers who live with a wide variety of conditions, share our experiences and try to help one another along the way.

Based on what you wrote, I am guessing you are reading the test results on your Patient Portal, and that the doctor has not interpreted it for you yet. That is the "mixed blessing" of our information age - without explanation and context, these words can be scary.

In the meanwhile, I can tell you that "diffuse ground glass opacities" are gray areas in the image, caused by tissue changes - often remnants of an infection like pneumonia or Covid. They are not tumors, and may clear up or may be indications of an underlying condition. The wording "with differential diagnoses that would include..." means the image doesn't show a specific disease or condition, and that the treating doctor needs to figure it out based on what else is happening.

Overall, as a layperson reading this report, I would contact the doctor who ordered the scan and ask exactly what it means for me. If the scan was ordered in an ER, I would call my primary provider for interpretation. You should be able to get a preliminary explanation by telephone. They might recommend seeing a lung specialist.

How did this testing come about? Do you have a provider you can call?
Sue