A lung infiltrate is any substance that has managed to find its way into lungs. Lung infiltrates appear as lighter areas on an x-ray and represent areas where there is no air, inflammation or where the lungs have collapsed in on themselves.
Normal lungs show up as dark areas on x-rays because the air inside them allows the x-rays to pass through. Parts that are more solid will block the passage of x-rays and show up as light areas or spots. These are generally referred to by radiologists as ‘infiltrates’ or as atelectasis.
Lung infiltrates may be caused by of a number of lung diseases such as Pneumonia that can cause the microscopic air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid.
The infiltrates may also be there as a result of tuberculosis, pulmonary oedema or internal bleeding. Certain cancers such as bronchoalveolar carcinoma and mesothelioma are often diagnosed in this way.
A doctor would probably arrange for follow-up x-rays and CT scans to be done to see if conditions have improved. A chest CT scan is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray, so this may be the next test that is done if initial x-ray exams show the presence of infiltrates.
Normal lungs show up as dark areas on x-rays because the air inside them allows the x-rays to pass through. Parts that are more solid will block the passage of x-rays and show up as light areas or spots. These are generally referred to by radiologists as ‘infiltrates’ or as atelectasis.
Lung infiltrates may be caused by of a number of lung diseases such as Pneumonia that can cause the microscopic air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid.
The infiltrates may also be there as a result of tuberculosis, pulmonary oedema or internal bleeding. Certain cancers such as bronchoalveolar carcinoma and mesothelioma are often diagnosed in this way.
A doctor would probably arrange for follow-up x-rays and CT scans to be done to see if conditions have improved. A chest CT scan is more sensitive and shows more detail than a chest x-ray, so this may be the next test that is done if initial x-ray exams show the presence of infiltrates.
