Is it concerning if the chest x-ray says perihilar/basilar segmental atelectasis and parenchymal scarring ?
Patient: My husband has been having high blood pressure issues in the last few months. He has been seeing an internal medicine doctor for this, but we are not sure about him. My husband has had an EKG which was normal, a stress test that was borderline (showed some changes, but recovered quickly per his doctor), and lab work. He is taking Hyzaar/HCT, Cardizem, Baby ASA, and Amlodipine. Most recent BP was 156/90. He recently had blood work (last week) and his cholesterol was 300, his Triglycerides 1500. The doctor said he does not need meds for these levels. Here are my biggest concerns: My husband is becoming increasingly fatigued. He feels as though he cannot breath when laying down and sleeps sitting upright. He loses his breath easily and cannot do simple tasks such as climb the stairs without taking a break most days. We have gone to his doctor three times to express our concerns, however the only thing he has done is a chest xray. The doc told me it was normal, but upon reviewing is medical records, it actually showed Mild perihilar/bibasilar subsegmental atelectasis and parenchymal scarring change with associated volume loss. I looked online and it defined this as small areas of the lung collapsing. Should I be concerned and finding a different doctor? My husbands symptoms are not improving, just slowly getting worse. His doctor said it is only related to the high BP and will get better when they can get that regulated. Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM.I can understand your situation and problem.Following are the possibilities for your husband's CT thorax abnormalities.1. Chronic congestion due to high blood pressure and cardiac diseases.2. Lung infection3. Pulmonary fibrosis.So better to consult pulmonologist and get done1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.2. PFT (pulmonary function test)3. Recent 2d echo4. Bronchoscopy as and when required.If chronic congestion is the cause then he may need more diuretics to remove congestion from the lung.Antibiotics are needed for lung infection.So better to first diagnose him and then start appropriate treatment.