The difference between pulmonary nodule shadows and nodules

Pulmonary nodules are mainly caused by tuberculosis infection, and this abnormality can be detected during examination. Lung nodules can also be caused by viral or bacterial infection. Lung nodules can cause symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and small amounts of hemoptysis. Because the two have great similarities, the difference has become a matter of concern for many people. So, what is the difference between lung nodule shadows and nodules? Let’s take a look below.

Nodule foci and nodule shadows are actually the same thing. Pulmonary nodules are caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The pathogens in humans include human tuberculosis and bovine tuberculosis. Atypical mycobacteria can also cause similar tuberculosis-like lesions, but they are rare.

Pulmonary nodules are a multi-system and multi-organ granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. They often invade the lungs, bilateral hilar lymph nodes, eyes, skin and other organs. The chest invasion rate is as high as 80% to 90%.

Clinical manifestations

Symptoms and signs vary depending on how quickly they develop and which organs are affected. In the early stages of intrathoracic sarcoidosis, there are often no obvious symptoms and signs. Sometimes there is coughing, coughing up a small amount of sputum, and occasionally a small amount of hemoptysis; there may be fatigue, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc. When the lesions are extensive, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and even cyanosis may occur. The condition may be aggravated by concurrent infection, emphysema, bronchiectasis, cor pulmonale, etc. If sarcoidosis affects other organs at the same time, corresponding symptoms and signs may occur. For example, the most common skin disease is erythema nodosum, which is often seen on the face, neck, shoulders or limbs. There is also lupus pernio, macules, papules, etc. Subcutaneous nodules are sometimes found. Violations of the scalp can cause hair loss.

About 30% of patients may experience skin lesions. About 15% of cases suffer from eye damage, which may include iridocyclitis, acute uveitis, keratoconjunctivitis, etc. Symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, and ciliary body congestion may occur. Some patients have liver and/or spleen enlargement, slightly increased bilirubin and elevated alkaline phosphatase, or liver damage. Mediastinal and superficial lymph nodes are often invaded and swollen. If the joints, bones, muscles, etc. are affected, there may be polyarthritis, and X-ray examination may show multiple small cystic bone defects (bone cysts) in the short bones of the limbs, hands and feet.

Muscle granuloma can cause local swelling, pain, etc. About 50% of cases involve the nervous system, and the symptoms vary widely. Clinical manifestations may include cranial nerve paralysis, neuromyopathy, space-occupying lesions in the brain, meningitis, etc. When sarcoidosis affects the myocardium, it may cause arrhythmias or even heart failure. About 5% of cases involve the heart. Pericardial effusion may also occur. Sarcoidosis can interfere with calcium metabolism, leading to increased blood calcium and urine calcium, causing renal calcium salt deposition and kidney stones. When the pituitary gland is involved, it can cause diabetes insipidus, and when the hypothalamus is involved, excessive milk production and elevated serum lactogen can occur. When the parotid gland, tonsils, larynx, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, stomach, reproductive system, etc. are affected, related symptoms and signs may occur, but this is less common. Sarcoidosis can affect one organ or multiple organs at the same time.