Chest X-rays and CT Scans

[worrywart115]

Sometime during July/August, I had an X-ray done by an urgent care center for a cough that I was dealing with. It came back fine, except for a small "nodule." A few weeks later, I got a CT scan done by a lung specialist, and they explained that the nodule was nothing at all. I think he said something like a "shadow" and ultimately shrugged it off as nothing of importance. Last week, I had another chest X-ray done at the same urgent care center for something unrelated. I got a call saying that they found something, only this time they described it as "vessels." But it's in the same exact spot that the "nodule" was found and she wants me to see a lung specialist. I'm assuming it's the same thing, but because it was a different doctor, she had no idea that I had this explained to me already and was surprised that I'd already sen a lung specialist months ago.

Anyone have experience with this? Like, is this a normal occurrence for the same shadow/scar/whatever-it-is to keep appearing on an X-ray but be absolutely nothing on the CT? I guess it wouldn't just up and disappear. I figure a CT is more reliable than an X-ray, right? I assume it's nothing to worry about, but I couldn't find anything about this online and it's been bothering me for a bit now.

[Toaster]

CT definitely gives you better insight to what's in the body, hence why doctors typically do them as follow ups to X-rays. What you're describing is very common. I have a book that goes into how many trivial findings are found on scans and how doctors should do only the testing to prove it's nothing. I believe it's called "Overdiagnosed."

But yea. CT scans are so very clear in comparison to an X-ray. I wouldn't worry.

[worrywart115]

CT definitely gives you better insight to what's in the body, hence why doctors typically do them as follow ups to X-rays. What you're describing is very common. I have a book that goes into how many trivial findings are found on scans and how doctors should do only the testing to prove it's nothing. I believe it's called "Overdiagnosed."

But yea. CT scans are so very clear in comparison to an X-ray. I wouldn't worry.

Yeah, I figured CT scans were tons better. I've gotten a decent amount of scans, but still have no clue about how they work. Unless I suddenly developed another thing in the same exact spot as the last in literally 5 months, then I think I'm good. I guess scars and other things never really disappear from the X-rays despite never showing on CTs. Definitely made to just worry anxious people :blush: