Health Report
Hello Dr.
Yang, I had a chest X-ray report during my company health check in 2016 that noted "suspected nodular lesion in the left lower lung, recommended outpatient follow-up." I went to the hospital for follow-up that year, and after the doctor marked it with a paperclip and took another X-ray, he said it was caused by a nipple shadow (my nipple is slightly longer than average for males).
In 2018, the health check report showed the same finding, and when I went to the hospital, the doctor did not take another X-ray but reviewed the health check X-ray and said he did not see anything significant and that observation was sufficient.
The 2019 health check was normal, but in November 2019, the report again noted "suspected overlapping nipple shadow or pulmonary nodule in the left lower chest, recommended outpatient follow-up." All of these evaluations were conducted at the same medical center in southern Taiwan.
My question is, can a nipple shadow appear only on one side? If it were a pulmonary nodule, it has been over four years from 2016 to 2020 without any changes; would further examination be necessary? I would greatly appreciate your response.
Mr. Lin, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/12/09
Dr. Yang Wenda reply Pulmonology
Hello: Due to the angle of the imaging, sometimes the findings are more pronounced and other times less so.
Essentially, if the location is similar and there is no significant increase in size, there is no need for concern.
Reply Date: 2020/12/09
More Info
Dear Patient,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your chest X-ray findings and the implications of lung nodules. Based on your history, it seems that you have been monitored for a potential lung nodule or a shadow that may be related to your anatomy, specifically the prominence of your nipple.
Firstly, it is essential to understand that lung nodules are small masses of tissue in the lung that can be benign or malignant. They are often detected incidentally during imaging studies, such as chest X-rays or CT scans. The term "疑結節樣病灶" (suspected nodular lesion) indicates that the radiologist has identified an area that may warrant further investigation.
In your case, the repeated mention of a "疑結節樣病灶" in the left lower lung and the subsequent evaluations suggest that the medical team is being cautious. The fact that your doctor indicated that the shadow could be due to a prominent nipple is significant. It is not uncommon for anatomical structures, such as the nipple, to create shadows on X-rays that can mimic lung pathology. This is particularly true if the nipple is more prominent than average, as you described.
Regarding your question about whether a nipple shadow can appear only on one side, the answer is yes. Anatomical variations can lead to unilateral shadows, and if your left nipple is more prominent, it could indeed cause a shadow that may be mistaken for a lung nodule.
As for the need for further investigation, the general approach to lung nodules depends on several factors, including the size of the nodule, its characteristics (such as shape and density), and any changes over time. Since your reports from 2016 to 2019 have indicated no significant changes, it is reassuring. Typically, if a nodule remains stable over a period of two years, the likelihood of it being malignant decreases significantly. However, guidelines suggest that nodules larger than 0.8 cm may require closer monitoring, and if there are any changes in size or characteristics, further imaging, such as a CT scan, may be warranted.
In your case, since the nodular shadow has been stable and there have been no significant changes reported, it may not be necessary to pursue further imaging immediately. However, it is crucial to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider. If you have any new symptoms, such as persistent cough, weight loss, or difficulty breathing, or if you have concerns about the stability of the shadow, discussing these with your doctor would be prudent.
In summary, while the presence of a suspected lung nodule can be concerning, the stability of your findings over the years is a positive sign. It is essential to continue regular follow-ups as recommended by your healthcare provider, and if there are any changes in your health status or if you have persistent concerns, do not hesitate to seek further evaluation.
Thank you for reaching out, and I hope this information helps clarify your situation. Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions or need further assistance.
Best regards.
Similar Q&A
Understanding Pulmonary Nodules: Insights from Chest X-Ray Findings
Hello Doctor: In August 2015, during a routine health check, a nodule was found in my left upper lung lobe on a chest X-ray. I subsequently had a follow-up visit and underwent a CT scan, during which the doctor mentioned that the CT results showed no significant issues and that i...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan reply Pulmonology
Hello Ms. Emma, the chest X-ray screening presents many issues that can be difficult to interpret. However, if you have undergone a CT scan, it is recommended to return to the original hospital for follow-up imaging for comparison, which will provide a clearer understanding. The ...[Read More] Understanding Pulmonary Nodules: Insights from Chest X-Ray Findings
Understanding Lung Nodules: X-Ray vs. CT Scan Insights
Hello Dr. Wang, I would like to ask: 1. In recent years, chest X-rays have consistently shown a small nodule in the right lower lung measuring approximately 0.8 cm, with no change in size. Therefore, in July 2022, I underwent a whole-body CT scan at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial H...
Dr. Wang Yifen reply Radiology
Hello, the chest X-ray nodule you described is unlikely to be a hepatic hemangioma. Typically, a lung CT report focuses on whether there are nodules in the lung parenchyma. If nodules are consistently seen on chest X-rays but not on CT scans, it is important to consider extra-pul...[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: X-Ray vs. CT Scan Insights
Understanding Bilateral Lower Lung Nodules: Next Steps After X-Ray Findings
In the health check report, the chest X-ray examination shows bilateral lower lung nodular shadows. Should further examination be conducted?
Dr. Wang Yifen reply Radiology
Bilateral lower lung nodular shadows are noted. It is recommended to visit the pulmonary medicine outpatient clinic for evaluation by a physician to determine whether additional X-ray imaging of the nodules is necessary, or to arrange for other examinations such as a low-dose com...[Read More] Understanding Bilateral Lower Lung Nodules: Next Steps After X-Ray Findings
Understanding Nodular Densities in Chest X-Ray Reports: What You Need to Know
The X-ray report (Chest A-P View @ Supine) mentions "Nodular densities at LLL and LUL," which indicates the presence of nodular opacities in the left lower lobe (LLL) and left upper lobe (LUL) of the lungs. This suggests that there are nodules in the lung tissue. The de...
Dr. Wu Yingxun reply Pulmonology
Hello: The physician may be concerned about an old lesion and still recommends a CT scan.[Read More] Understanding Nodular Densities in Chest X-Ray Reports: What You Need to Know
Related FAQ
Lung Nodule
(Pulmonology)
X-Ray Report(Pulmonology)
Ground-Glass Nodule(Pulmonology)
Ct Report(Pulmonology)
Computed Tomography(Pulmonology)
Health Examination Report(Pulmonology)
Pneumothorax(Pulmonology)
Postoperative Lung Adenocarcinoma(Pulmonology)
Chest Discomfort(Pulmonology)
Lungs(Internal Medicine)