[ MEDICAL ] -WHAT’S IN A WORD: In the previous post of the same title, I shared my diagnosis of pneumonia. This diagnosis was provided by a radiologist who examined the PA/Lateral Chest X-ray (otherwise front/back and sideways). Something I failed to do was read the words as they appeared on that report.
“There are patchy infiltrative changes in the LEFT lower lobe. There is no pneumothorax or effusion. Clinical correlation for pneumonia is recommended.”
What words have captured my attention? The radiologist states that the images recommend a diagnosis of pneumonia based on clinical correlation and experience. The diagnosis is in the “LEFT lower lobe.”
“Patchy Infiltrative Changes in the LEFT lower lobe.”
How can the order of words make a world of difference? The radiologist’s words indicate the entire left lobe. The diagnosis is only half correct. Yes, there are indeed “patchy infiltrative changes. ” However, the X-ray images likely present a diagnosis beyond the radiologist’s expertise.
The X-ray images offered a view of titanium sternum wires, bone cement from spinal vertebrae T8 to the lowest boundaries of the imagery, and the item this radiologist didn’t recognize.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome
Imagine the difference if the words in the report read “lower left lobe.”
