Concerned68
05-07-2006, 10:08 PM
Recently, a close friend had a TB X-Ray performed as a yearly requirement for employment. His results were mailed to him stating"No active pulmonary disease. Heart is not enlarged. There is fibrosis in the left perihilar region extending into the left upper lobe."
Now, he is athletic, non-smoker and non-drinker. He has spoken with both parents who report NO hx of pulmonary fibrosis. In the past year, he worked cutting trees down & was involved in an auto accident where he walked away from a head-on collision involving total kinetic force = to 80mph. He states he felt chest pain that day, but still refused medical tx and/or transport. He says he believed the pain to be result of the seat belt trauma.
I have several questions:
1) Can a radiologist confirm fibrosis simply from looking at an X-Ray?
2) If it is fibrosis, could the scarring be the result of a "near" pneumothorax caused by the collision? Or the result of inhaling a particulate while cutting trees down?
3) Is all fibrosis progressive and/or fatal?
4) Can it be removed via lobectomy?
Now, he is athletic, non-smoker and non-drinker. He has spoken with both parents who report NO hx of pulmonary fibrosis. In the past year, he worked cutting trees down & was involved in an auto accident where he walked away from a head-on collision involving total kinetic force = to 80mph. He states he felt chest pain that day, but still refused medical tx and/or transport. He says he believed the pain to be result of the seat belt trauma.
I have several questions:
1) Can a radiologist confirm fibrosis simply from looking at an X-Ray?
2) If it is fibrosis, could the scarring be the result of a "near" pneumothorax caused by the collision? Or the result of inhaling a particulate while cutting trees down?
3) Is all fibrosis progressive and/or fatal?
4) Can it be removed via lobectomy?