CT Scans and Bronchitis - UPDATED

abrub

Question: does anyone know if there are problems having a CT scan (chest/abdomen/pelvis) either during or shortly after a bout of severe bronchitis?

I've been coughing violently for a couple of weeks - don't know when this will end, and I'm scheduled for my CT on July 6. I'm afraid that the inflammation in my lungs will show as spots on the scan, and require that I have an extra scan to confirm that it's just inflammation. Frankly, I'd prefer to postpone the scan until I'm fully recovered in that event. However, it's already been 14 months since my last scan (I was "granted" that time, because 1 year ago, my surgeon looked directly inside and found all clear, while repairing my hernia.) I figure I'd have to delay at least a month or more.

Thoughts?

Thank you,
Alice

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My dr just responded:

alice - you are absolutely right. It is a bad time to have a CT when you have bronchitis. It can take a several weeks or months for the inflammatory changes to go away.As long as your blood work (CEA) with your [local] oncologist remains fine, I suggest you postpone the CT and fut appt until Sept or Oct. Dr. P

Buckwirth

Check with your Oncologist
But I would guess that your concerns are justified. My understanding of the PET/CT is that any inflammation will show up as a hot spot, so what you might get is a reading causing a lot of worry for no good reason.

Still, your doctor is the one who should make the final recommendation.

pepebcn

Buckwirth said:

Check with your Oncologist
But I would guess that your concerns are justified. My understanding of the PET/CT is that any inflammation will show up as a hot spot, so what you might get is a reading causing a lot of worry for no good reason.

Still, your doctor is the one who should make the final recommendation.

My last scans where done while had a severe bronchitis and doc
said not a problem go ahead!.
Hope it helps Alice ,.

abrub

pepebcn said:

My last scans where done while had a severe bronchitis and doc
said not a problem go ahead!.
Hope it helps Alice ,.

Thanks, Pepe
That helps. I've still sent out a message to my onc just to check.

abrub

Buckwirth said:

Check with your Oncologist
But I would guess that your concerns are justified. My understanding of the PET/CT is that any inflammation will show up as a hot spot, so what you might get is a reading causing a lot of worry for no good reason.

Still, your doctor is the one who should make the final recommendation.

Thank you
I'm not worried about the hot spots - I'll assume they are from bronchitis. I just don't want to have an extra scan if it's not necessary, and if I have hot spots, they may want to re-scan in 3 months. I'm on an annual CT schedule now, and want to stop glowing in the dark!

abrub

From my MSK dr...
My dr just responded:

alice - you are absolutely right. It is a bad time to have a CT when you have bronchitis. It can take a several weeks or months for the inflammatory changes to go away.As long as your blood work (CEA) with your [local] oncologist remains fine, I suggest you postpone the CT and fut appt until Sept or Oct. Dr. P

RickMurtagh

abrub said:

From my MSK dr...
My dr just responded:

alice - you are absolutely right. It is a bad time to have a CT when you have bronchitis. It can take a several weeks or months for the inflammatory changes to go away.As long as your blood work (CEA) with your [local] oncologist remains fine, I suggest you postpone the CT and fut appt until Sept or Oct. Dr. P

Dr. P
Dr. P = Doctor Phillip Paty? Nice guy - my doctor too.

abrub

RickMurtagh said:

Dr. P
Dr. P = Doctor Phillip Paty? Nice guy - my doctor too.

Yes - Dr. Paty
I love him! (Don't we all?!?) He is not only a brilliant surgeon, he also really cares about his patients, and how we are really doing.

My onc left MSK, so Dr. P has agreed to follow me, rather than start me with a new onc at this point. I'm in remission, and don't need an onc right now, just someone to review my CT scans and blood work.