My son 17 years age suffers Rheumatoid arthritis since six months age a recent chest CT showed bilateral old fibrotic changes, enlarged pulmonary artery trunk and cardiac size, bilateral atelectatic changes seenand thickened I L septae noted what does all this mean please> I am really worried.
Hello dear, thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. Rheumatoid arthritis is collagen vascular disease which can affect lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis suggest pulmonary involvement. This is irreversible damage. His pulmonary trunk is also enlarged.  This suggests possibility of pulmonary hypertension. So get done 2d echo to rule out pulmonary hypertension. Atelectasis is partial collapse of lungs, and it is mostly too due to secretions.  So better to consult pulmonologist and get done 2d echo for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. He may need anti-fibrotic, antibiotic and expectorant.