Anyone ever hear of calcified granulomas in chest?

bellehill, RN · Sep 11, 2003

I'm sorry, but I haven't heard of calcified granulomas in the chest. You are right about knowing too much as a nurse but try not to panic. Keep us updated!

stella123 rn · Sep 11, 2003

Gosh, I had a patient that had this. I can not remember how she got it. I think she was septic. She was put on antifungals and did very well. Sorry I am not much help.

iliel · Sep 11, 2003

I've heard of this...my grandmother had it. I'm not sure what became of it, she was fine.

Your around bird poop more than you know!

jemb · Sep 11, 2003

I have calcifications (granulomas) in my lungs from histoplasmosis when I was a teenager. Every time I get a chest x-ray, I have to remind the doc (or tell the new one) about it. I keep a copy of an old x-ray so it can be compared and nobody panics unnecessarily. I suggest you do the same in the future to avoid a lot of unnecssary poking, prodding and expense.

I lived in the Ohio River valley at that time, where histoplasmosis is more common. I see that you list your location as Illinois, which might have comparable exposure, depending on where exactly you are or have been. Most people don't even know that they have histoplasmosis until the symptoms are long gone. I sure didn't -- I just had a cough, didn't sleep well, and was more tired than most of my peers. Thought I had bronchitis until the spots showed up on the x-ray.

I also used to get + results from the old tb screening test that was done 20-30 years ago. I forget the name of the test, but after the + result, I would then get a 2nd test of several intradermals checking for tb, histo, and a couple of other things. The histo was always the one that showed +.

So, don't panic ! The only people that aren't exposed to dirt or bird poop are living in a bubble. You probably just got lucky and inhaled some of those special spores when you were walking to your car on a windy day.

Now go buy a lotto ticket, you lucky person! :)

tinkerbelle · Sep 11, 2003

Flocks of wild geese and other migratory birds are sometimes in our airspace, we do not always see them. There are no rest stops up there so I am sure they are pooping on our heads even though we are not aware of it. Keep us posted on the outcome of your dx.

Rapheal · Sep 12, 2003

Yes my husband has it. When he was a kid he spent a summer with his aunt and slept in a damp basement. That's how they figure he got it. They have remained the same size and location for many years. Nothing that we worry about. Hope this helps.

AmyRN1227 · Sep 12, 2003

Thanks everyone for all of your responses. My chest CT is scheduled for 4:00 tomorrow so I will keep you all posted. Maybe I should just tell them to cancel it since it's probably from some ole darn bird poop spores I inhaled ...LOL

Amy

webbiedebbie · Sep 12, 2003

I work PRN in radiology. I type these all the time. The Radiologist says they are from prior infections.

AmyRN1227 · Sep 13, 2003

Thanks Debbie!

How are they treated and do they get worst? Can they cause symptoms or does it go away eventually?

Thanks,

Amy