Understanding Hemoptysis: Key Considerations for Patients Abroad
Recently, I have been coughing up blood? Dr. Yang: Hello! I experienced hemoptysis several times last year, and after a CT scan, the doctor informed me that there is fibrosis in the bronchus near my heart, advising me to avoid catching a cold as much as possible. Recently, I have...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Amy: As you mentioned, the computed tomography scan revealed fibrosis in the bronchi near your heart, indicating that there are no tumors or cavitary changes associated with tuberculosis in your lungs. Your diagnosis leans towards bronchiectasis, which may result in increas...[Read More] Understanding Hemoptysis: Key Considerations for Patients Abroad
Understanding Pleural Effusion: External vs. Internal Fluid Accumulation
Pleural effusion Hello, my father is a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis, which has been treated and controlled for many years. Recently, he has been coughing up blood, and after a CT scan, it was found that he has pleural effusion and pneumonia. The doctor mentioned that the p...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Js: The external fluid accumulation you mentioned is likely pleural effusion (fluid in the pleural cavity outside the lungs). Recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung tumors, and heart failure can lead to pleural effusion. If possible, performing a thoracentesi...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: External vs. Internal Fluid Accumulation
Understanding Chest Hemorrhage: Is Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Congenital?
Is a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula associated with hemothorax a congenital disease? (Inquiry forwarded from the Director's mailbox) Dear Director, As you are the highest authority overseeing national healthcare and diseases, I am compelled to reach out to you regarding a ...
Dr. Ke Zhengchang Reply:
Based on your description, it is likely a congenital pulmonary arteriovenous malformation complicated by hemothorax. The best treatment approach would be angiography and embolization (a procedure that can be performed by a radiologist). In the meantime, inserting a chest tube to ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Hemorrhage: Is Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Congenital?
Understanding Lung Tumors: Are They Mostly Benign or Malignant?
Lung tumor Hello Doctor: My father has been experiencing persistent coughing and initially sought treatment for a cold. By chance, he went to a hospital in Taichung where an X-ray revealed a dark spot. He was subsequently admitted for a CT scan, which confirmed the presence of a ...
Dr. Guo Lucheng Reply:
Lung tumors often present with symptoms similar to a cold, such as productive cough, until a persistent cough lasts for more than three weeks, at which point a chest X-ray should be considered. It is only after the X-ray that issues may be identified, and upon discovering a tumor...[Read More] Understanding Lung Tumors: Are They Mostly Benign or Malignant?
Understanding Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Insights
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello Doctor: My mother had tuberculosis, and my second brother died of lung cancer, so I undergo regular chest X-ray examinations every year. In August of this year, I experienced slight chest discomfort and a mild cough. In September, I went to the health...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
(1) It is indeed possible for some patients with pulmonary tuberculosis to have normal sputum tests (i.e., non-open cases), and diagnosis requires other clinical evidence. (2) Common side effects of anti-tuberculosis medications include liver function abnormalities, impaired visi...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Insights
Understanding Lung Biopsy: Pain, Risks, and What to Expect
Lung biopsy (urgent) Hello Doctor: My mother is 62 years old and has been undergoing regular chest X-ray examinations every year because my grandmother had tuberculosis and my uncle passed away from lung cancer. Two months ago, she started coughing and experiencing chest pain. Sh...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Based on the described situation, it appears to be an unexplained lesion in the left lung, thus further examination is necessary. Bronchoscopy should not be performed under excessive anesthesia; it can also include a biopsy, but there is a possibility that the targeted area may n...[Read More] Understanding Lung Biopsy: Pain, Risks, and What to Expect
Understanding Pleural Effusion: Concerns and Alternatives for Elderly Patients
Hello, doctor. I would like to inquire about pleural effusion? Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask you a question regarding pleural effusion. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with left-sided pleural effusion at the hospital. She has undergone: 1. Blood tests 2. X-ray (which s...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello: Regarding the issue of "pleural effusion," it is medically referred to as pleural effusion. The causes of pleural effusion in adults can be roughly divided into two categories: benign (inflammatory, cardiogenic) and malignant (tumors). If the aforementioned tests...[Read More] Understanding Pleural Effusion: Concerns and Alternatives for Elderly Patients
Understanding Lung Tumors: Do You Need Surgery?
Lung tumor Hello, doctor. I underwent a health check on June 10, 2002, and a chest X-ray revealed a circular shadow in the lower left lung (approximately 5 cm in diameter). I then went to the thoracic department at a regional hospital for further examination. A CT scan confirmed ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
There are many common causes of a solitary pulmonary nodule, including cancer, tuberculosis, cryptococcal infection, and post-tuberculosis sequelae, among others. According to the information provided, if the size has indeed remained unchanged over a year and a half (from Decembe...[Read More] Understanding Lung Tumors: Do You Need Surgery?
Understanding Aspiration Pneumonia: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Aspiration pneumonia My father was admitted to the emergency room the day before yesterday due to abnormal breathing caused by choking. He was subsequently diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, as food was extracted from his trachea. After consulting with the physician, it was det...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
1. Dysfunction of the epiglottis is often associated with neurological disorders (such as those caused by stroke) and can be evaluated by an otolaryngologist or a neurologist. If the neurological condition cannot be improved, there is no specific pharmacological treatment availab...[Read More] Understanding Aspiration Pneumonia: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Coughing and Weight Loss: Understanding Unexplained Symptoms
Coughing and weight loss? Dear Dr. Chang, Regarding the cough and weight loss issue I asked you about previously, my sister has gone to a medical center for further examination, including a bronchoscopy. She had three tumor markers tested and underwent a CT scan, but the doctor ...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Thank you for your letter again. Currently, the field of pulmonary medicine has indeed reached a bottleneck in the diagnosis of early-stage lung tumors. There should be no issues with your sister's examination. I recommend finding a "dedicated" and "experience...[Read More] Coughing and Weight Loss: Understanding Unexplained Symptoms
Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis and Calcium Deposits: When to Seek Help
Fiber calcium Pulmonary suspected fibrotic calcification indicates the presence of calcified lesions in the lung tissue, which may suggest previous infections, such as tuberculosis, or other chronic lung conditions. It is important to consult a pulmonologist for further evaluatio...
Dr. Jiang Zhenyuan Reply:
Suspected pulmonary fibrotic calcification is an opacity observed on a chest X-ray. The physician determines that it is not active and is a remnant of a previous lung disease. It is advisable to consult a pulmonologist for the interpretation of the X-ray to confirm the diagnosis.[Read More] Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis and Calcium Deposits: When to Seek Help