keuhkoväyrät

Keuhkoväyrät, often translated as lung shadows or lung opacities, refers to areas within the lung that appear denser or whiter on a chest X-ray or CT scan compared to the surrounding healthy lung tissue. These areas represent a deviation from the normal, air-filled appearance of the lungs, which typically show up as dark or black on an X-ray due to the low density of air.

The appearance of keuhkoväyrät can vary significantly, and they can be caused by a multitude of underlying conditions. Common causes include the presence of fluid (edema), inflammation (pneumonia), blood (hemorrhage), or solid tissue (tumors). Infections, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, are frequent culprits, leading to the accumulation of inflammatory cells and exudate within the air sacs.

Other potential causes include pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot obstructs a pulmonary artery, resulting in lung tissue death and subsequent opacity. Benign or malignant tumors can also manifest as lung shadows. Chronic conditions like interstitial lung diseases can lead to fibrosis, thickening of the lung tissue, which appears as increased density on imaging.

The interpretation of keuhkoväyrät requires careful consideration of the patient's medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings. Further investigations, such as sputum analysis, blood tests, bronchoscopy, or biopsy, may be necessary to determine the precise cause and guide appropriate treatment. Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial as some causes of keuhkoväyrät can be serious.