Q. Is a lingular nodule on a CT thorax normal?
Hello doctor,
I am a 55-year-old female in good health and have never smoked. I am attaching a copy of a computed tomography (CT) scan of my abdomen and pelvis from the previous year (to check for diverticulitis) and one I did two years back (to check for kidney stones). As you will see, last year's report mentions a 6 mm ground glass lingular nodule, stable from a prior CT scan from two years back. My doctor was not concerned and did not suggest any follow-up for it. Unfortunately, I happened to check it online about ground glass nodules and saw a lot of scary information. Is this anything to worry about?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the reports you have attached (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). Two years ago, the report did not mention any nodule, infiltrate, or ground glass appearance. But last year's scan mentioned about 6 mm size lesion atelectasis. Did you have any respiratory symptoms last year? Any family history of lung cancer or any other cancer? Please reply to me with answers to the above-asked questions so I can better guide you. Thank you.
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the response. No, I did not have any respiratory symptoms last year, nor do I have any now. There is no history of lung or any other cancers in my family.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. So, there is no need to worry about this nodule since you do not have any risk factors like smoking or family history. Any second-hand smoke exposure? Any workplace exposure to any chemicals? And if possible, you should get done fresh CT (computed tomography) scan of the thorax to see that nodule. There is the possibility that this nodule might disappear as in last year's CT scan, they used the word, atelectasis. Atelectasis means the partial collapse of part of the lung, which is mainly secondary to the collection of secretions. Please reply to me with answers to the above questions so that I can better guide you. Thank you.
Hello doctor,
Thank you so much. I did live with my parents for the first 25 years of my life, and they were smokers. I have never smoked and have had no secondhand smoke exposure for the last 30 years. I have no workplace exposure to chemicals. I did check it with my doctor, and she said we could do a chest CT scan later this year to monitor. So do you think that there is no need for me to worry about this ground glass module?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. No need to worry at all. Yes, no need for urgency for the next computed tomography (CT) thorax. I wonder why you ask this question after so many months of CT scan? I mean, it is almost a year gap. Did you live with stress, fear, and anxiety for the whole year? Thank you.
Hello doctor,
Thanks so much for the response. I suffer from health anxiety, and when I search for these things, it flares up the anxiety. Last year I saw mention of the nodule and briefly looked it up. Still, my attention turned to the complex cyst on my ovary that was reported, and I followed up with my gynecologist to have ultrasounds done to have that checked out (it has since been resolved and was not worrisome). My anxiety has flared lately due to hormonal changes in perimenopause. For some reason, I looked back at my last year's computed tomography (CT) scan report and searched ground glass nodules, which sent my anxiety flaring.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. It is fine, and no need to worry about lung issues. But I am worried about your anxiety. So I think you should get your anxiety and perimenopausal symptoms treated. Are you taking any anxiety treatment or hormonal pills for hormonal imbalance because of menopause? Thank you.
Hello doctor,
Thank you so very much for your kindness and reassurance. Yes, I have battled anxiety my whole life and had a major flare of it six years ago. I am currently on Cymbalta and Xanax as needed and on therapy. I have been doing great the last few years but have had another flare-up. I am also taking supplements for my perimenopause. One last question about the ground glass nodule is that I read that if it has a solid component, it may be a bit more worrisome than a pure ground glass one. Would the CT scan have been able to determine if it has any solid areas, and would it be mentioned in the radiologist's report?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. A 6 mm nodule is too small to make any conclusion about the nodule's characteristics, like solid, calcified, necrotic, or granulomatous. So, I think the best thing is to compare it with fresh computed tomography (CT) for either disappearance or static nature of the nodule. It is a benign lesion mostly due to atelectasis, not malignant. Do let me know your latest CT once available. Thank you.
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the advice. I will do the CT scan and let you know once it is available.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. It is always encouraging to hear positive feedback. Thank you.
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