New groundglass opacity found

Posted by smaj99 @smaj99, Oct 20, 2023

In my annual lung CT scan today, they found a new 11.9 x 26.1 x 15.2 mm region of ground glass opacity laterally in the right middle lobe which may be "postinflammatory", according to them.

What does the new finding indicate in terms of cause, characteristics, prognosis, and treatment? Is this potentially a serious condition? I'm a 70 year old diabetic who takes insulin. They have asked me to repeat the test in 6 months.
Thank you.

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11moondog11 | @11moondog11 | Oct 20, 2023

Greetings....
I'm also 70 years old. In many of my CT scans over the past several years the"ground glass opacities" have come and gone. Pulmonologists say infections causing inflammation that resolved without further treatment beyond antibiotics on a couple occasions.
I hope yours too will be resolved on your next CT.
PS Often I've wondered if they have even a clue what is going on !

smaj99 | @smaj99 | Oct 20, 2023

Thanks for your helpful and informative answer !!

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 20, 2023

In reply to @smaj99 "Thanks for your helpful and informative answer !!" + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Connect. If you use the search function (magnifying glass) and search for ground glass opacities (or GGO) you will find it has been discussed a number of times.
It really sounds scary, but it is just a descriptive term used by the radiologist to describe their findings on an image. What it means is that there is a cloudy or indistinct area where they don't see a specific artifact like a nodule or a cavity, but it also isn't nice and clear. The radiologist may or may not have access to your full medical record, and may or may not know exactly what the ordering doc is looking for. So they describe it in terms the doc knows, and leave it to them to make a final diagnosis. Or, if the radiologist sees something concerning and significant, the may add a note to the doc like "suggestive of bronchiectasis" or "possible infectious cavity"
Typically, it comes after a respiratory infection, where mucus and possibly some cells have gathered, and as the lung recovers the opacity disappears. Other times it can be a sign of an ongoing and possibly undiagnosed infection or of disease.
Unless there is evidence or history of cancer or infection, or a serious underlying lung disease, the plan is usually wait and watch - like repeating your image in 6 months.

So it is not that the radiologist or physician doesn't know - it is more usually that it's just something to keep an eye on. If, on the other hand, the suspect something serious, they do more imaging, blood tests, a biopsy...

Did you recently have a respiratory infection or Covid? Or do you have a history of asthma, COPD or emphysema?
Sue

smaj99 | @smaj99 | Oct 21, 2023

Thanks for your reply.
I had a pneumonia infection 6 years ago, despite being vaccinated against pneumonia. It was caught early and treated successfully. There was a spot detected on the lung too., and I was a moderate smoker.

I gave up smoking and exercised moderately, and within 6 months to a year, the spot had disappeared.

Since then, in my annual CT scans, there have been smaller ground glass opacities that have appeared and disappeared.

I had gone for a long international trip ( 9 month ) outside the USA recently, after being fully vaccinated for Covid. I did have an unspecified infection overseas a year ago. I tried to stay masked and avoid crowds. Nevertheless, there were unavoidable trips to crowded hospitals to help family members.

One of my medicines was switched to Lisinopril on a trail basis a few weeks ago and I started coughing about then, which may be a co-incidence. It's the size of this opacity, and the coughing, which is making me nervous.

Thanks.