CT scan results

In October, Mikayla had developed a mild "hack" kind of a cough, but not really. The doctors in KC had tried some antibiotics, but for the most part it never really went away. Because of the on again off again nature of the "hack" they were a little bit baffled, but never too concerned about it. We tried PFT's and they always came up clear as well as x-rays. I had asked in the past for a CT scan, but it wasn't issued due to the fact that it didn't seem medically necessary and the doctors didn't wan to expose her to more radiation if we didn't need to. Today, however, we finally received the scan. There were 3 results that still leave more questions than answers. Result 1= Mild air trapping (likely small airway disease)/ Air trapping, also called gas trapping, is an abnormal retention of air in the lungs after expiration. It is observed in obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cause is obstruction such that the patient is unable to expel air completely. So we will see a lung specialist to see what they think it is. COPD, asthma, or B.O.S. 2=Minimal left lower lobe patchy airspace opacity (her lower left lobe has a dark spot)? who knows that will be up to the lung specialist. 3= Sclerosis and fragmentation of the bilateral humeral head epiphyses/avascular necrosis. (Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Also called osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone's eventual collapse.)in short she is losing the blood supply to her left arm at her shoulder. That last one was a bit of a surprise considering we looked at her lungs not her arm. The radiologist or computer has a keen eye. The course of the next month will present more answers. We will update as we know the answers.