What do small triangular shadows/regions of opacity on the bottom part of both lungs seen in an x-ray signify?


Question:
Age is 73 years, history of right-side nephrectomy due pyelonephrosis 20 years earlier. Non-smoker and no occupational exposure to any physical/chemical agents. The signs & symptoms in this case were the sudden onset of pain while taking deep breaths. Otherwise breathing is normal and without pain. The pulse rate on examination was 92. Mild fever noted occasionally in the last 2 days (and about 2-3 days after the onset of the sharp pain). Feeling of general malaise and mild loss of appetite, though trying to eat normally. Physician asked for chest X-ray which showed 2 regions of opacity (or shadows?), one on either lung, near the bottom (probably close to the diaphragm?). Triangular in shape, and not very large, but large enough to be seen. Blood and urine results were normal. Recommended a course of Augmentin 375 antibiotic 3x/day for 5 days. Asked for a follow-up visit with another x-ray. What could the problem be? What do the regions of opacity signify? Where does one go from here?

Answers:
Opacity signifies that there is something in there.
Could be a little bit of pneumonia going on there.
Take the antibiotics, of course.

Other Answers:
May be just some puss in the lungs because of an infection caused by pneumonia or some other bacteria. Antibiotics should clear it right out.
it may be pneumonia ur taking good antibacterial but u should also go ultrasonography of chest that will confirm effusion if it is there then go for diagnostic tapping
Augmentin (brand name) Amoxycillin + Clavulanic acid (generic name). This drug is administered for the treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. eg:- septicaemia (the persistance and multiplication of living bacteria in the blood stream), peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum, usually secondary to disease of one of the abdominal organs), post-operative infections, intra-abdominal sepsis caused by suseptible pathogens.
Please note that I am not a medical professional. Hence no comments. I hope that x-ray will be clear after taking full course of medicine.
Please also see the webpage for more details on Pleural efffusion.
The opague regions signify the presence of fluid, probaby infected fluid in the lungs, likely puss. It is natural for fluid to settle at the lowest point, the bottom of your llungs. You are probably in the early stages of bacterial pnemonia, which can easily be treated with antibiotics.

As people get older, accumulation of secretions in the lungs can be a problem because the cilia that clear the lungs don't work as effeciently. These can get infected with bacteria. Having had surgery on the lungs can increase your suseptibility.

The Augmentin 375 should clear up the infection.

Where to go from here: Since your lung are prone to secretions and infection, it is best to aviod conditions that increase those secretions. If you have allergies, I would suggest getting home hair filters that remove pollen and dust. Some people are suseptible to breathing trouble from damp drafty air. A dehumidifier might be helpful. A dehumidifier will also hold down the molds in your home, another thing than can cause allergies and the accumulation of secretions in the lungs. The bottom line is to minimize your exposure to damp cold air and respiratory allergens and irritants.


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