Pleural effusion on x-ray. Milky fluid drained (chyle not yet confirmed).
2006-07-20 12:40:43 · 6 answers · asked by elmcocraner 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Should have mentioned; pulmonary edema suspected so upon thoracentesis expected orange colored fluid -but was milky. Labs very busy so not sure if could see lymphoma from x-ray
2006-07-20 13:04:03 · update #1
Because you had chylous effusions the doctors were concern for lymphoma. Chylous effusions can be from lymphoma, trauma, idopathic or cirrhosis. If you had empyema, you would be very sick and you can usually tell pus from chylous effusion. Also pleural effusion is very common in pulmonary edema but not chylous effusions.
If the lymph nodes are big enough and in the right location(hilum or AP window), you can see them on CXR. CT scan with contrast would be the next step. CXR or CT can not give you a diagnosis and only a biopsy can tell if they are cancerous. If they are greater than 1cm on CT they are more concerning. MRIs are not done for mediastinal lymph nodes. Also, lymphoma can occur anywhere there are lymph nodes and may of started elsewhere (ie abdomen) and spread to chest and may look like lines similar to pulmonary edema on the CXR instead of large lymph nodes
2006-07-21 00:46:16 · answer #1 · answered by chunkychun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What happydawg said. Although, pulmonary edema and pleural effusion are two different things.
CT scan is the best way to see enlarged nodes. Lymphoma does not usually cause pulmonary edema or empyema. Lung cancer can get in your lymph nodes, too.
2006-07-21 10:23:17 · answer #2 · answered by Becca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Milky fluid from a pleural effusion sounds like empyema. Empyema is pus. Sometimes if nodes are big, you can see them on a chest XR, but the best way to see them is thru a CT scan big nodes do not always mean cancer. If the pt has an empyema they could be simply from massive infection which is what an empyema consist of big nasty pus in and around the lung.
2006-07-20 17:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by happydawg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What they're seeing on the x-ray is a wide mass or node cluster. once you get lymphoma many circumstances there'll be a mass of swollen lymph nodes contained in the middle of the chest lower than the sternum. This mass can get extremely large 4-6 inches or so is amazingly basic. Mine became 6 inches diameter. A unmarried swollen lymph node received't tutor on x-ray. Ask your health care specialist to take a closer look and get to the bottom of this neck node. ideal needs
2016-12-02 00:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but a fine needle biopsy should give great results..Good Luck!
2006-07-20 12:45:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you can see faint outlines on x-rays, but MRIs are really more useful to really see any tumors.
2006-07-20 12:54:07 · answer #6 · answered by stascia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋