About 8 years ago I had a chest x-ray because I had bronchitis all summer. Showed mild emphysema. I had quit smoking for 2 years when I had the ex-ray. Last week I asked for another x-ray to see if there was any progression since now its been 10 years since I quit smoking. It came back showing no emphysema but saw something on my left chest upper rib. They want to do a cat scan to assess the situation. Now I m worried about that. I am also very confused because I was under the impression emphysema was not reversible. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Linda Schnaus
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. Yes, you are right that emphysema is irreversible. And emphysema is diagnosed by PFT (pulmonary function test). So I advise you to get done PFT first to rule out emphysema. Chest x-ray can be reported as normal as opinions may differ with radiologist s. But if you have proven obstructive defect on PFT then you ate having emphysema for sure. So consult pulmonologist and get done PFT. This will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment is based on severity only. They are doing CT scan just to rule out infection or mass lesion. Because x-ray abnormal was there, and you were smoker in the past. So infection and mass need to be rule out first. CT thorax is best for this. So no harm in doing CT.