If you've ever had fluid in lung ..Please Read - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

HRATL · 05-29-2003, 11:00 AM

Can an OLD Pleural Effusion show OLD shadows and scarring on lung? Or do the signs of an old injury go completely away? Thank you for taking the time to read this..

wrin · 05-29-2003, 05:37 PM

depends and depends.

Sometimes, if the pleural effusion caused some scarring, the scarring can cause shadows visible on an x-ray.

Then again, sometimes there's no scarring, and the effusion heals up great, and nothing is to be seen on an x-ray.

Really depends. But this is a question for your doctor, one who knows you -- or a pulmonologist who can read your chart.

HRATL · 05-29-2003, 05:49 PM

Thanks wrin...
The reason I ask is because I did have a motorcycle accident at 17 (now 44) and had a chest tube in right lung for 5 days, well the other day I went to the Doctor for (gallbladder and kidney) check and he took an x-ray and said that he can see scarring, and at the bottom of my lung it looks like a straight across shadow..You know how lungs are pointed at the bottom....my right one is exactly straight across about 1/2 inch up from the bottom of it...he also said it could have been from my previous pleural effusion (chest puncture) any ideas...

wrin · 05-31-2003, 12:06 PM

Sounds plausible to me.

My best buddy had appendicitis (her appendix ruptured) and the ensuing infection caused a wicked pleural effusion that she had to have a chest drain for. When you listen with a stethoscope, you can hear the scarring make a rub, and it's easily visible on an x-ray.. her diaphragm is straight across on that side.

My logic says if it isn't causing you problems, no need to worry about it.

HRATL · 05-31-2003, 08:56 PM

Hi wrin, and thanks for posting! I always like it when you come on board!!
By the way..How long ago did your friend have the Pleural Effusion? and what is the diaphram?