Dr. Gott: Calicified granulomas pose no health risk

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 49-year-old man. Sometime ago, I had a chest X-ray. The report I received said that my heart and pulmonary vasculature appeared normal, but there was a slight prominence of the left-atrial segment. It also stated that tiny, calcified granulomas were noted bilaterally, but no acute chest abnormality was seen.

I was told that I have old granulomatous disease. What does that mean? Is it serious or contagious? I fell 20 feet onto my back in my teens. Could this have done some damage to my chest and account for what was seen on the X-ray?

Dear reader: Granulomas are small patches of inflammation caused by infection, not falls. They primarily occur in the lungs but may be found in other parts of the body, as well. They are noncancerous.

In your case, the granulomas are calcified, which signifies that at some point you had a lung infection. Most calcified granulomas are caused by a fungal lung infection known as histoplasmosis.

The good news is that most granulomas don’t need treatment, and since yours are calcified, they shouldn’t pose any risk to your health. However, because you have concerns, I urge you to speak to your pulmonologist. He or she is your best resource for getting your questions answered.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a check or money order for $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.