Question 1

i just saw my x-ray results, what does this mean in laymans terms? the cardiac silhouette is top-normal in size to mildly enlarged. cardiologist didnt say anything about it, i showed her small black lines in thumbnail, again, not concerned?

Accepted Answer

: Heart size on a chest x-ray is a two dimensional view of the cardiac silhouette. The report indicates that the cardiac shadow is mildly enlarged.  Discuss this finding with your physician, especially in relation to any symptoms.

Question 2

my x-ray report says:

mediastinum: mildly enlarged cardiac silhouette.

what does this mean. is it serious?

Accepted Answer

: This means that your heart looks bigger than normal on your chest x-ray. You need further testing to determine what is causing this. You should see a cardiologist for an EKG, if not done already, an echocardiogram and perhaps a stress test. The testing needed depends on your symptoms and a cardiologist will be able to sort out what testing you need to make the diagnosis. Best of luck to you!

Question 3

why did my radiologist write this? findings: the lungs and pleural spaces are clear. the cardiac silhouette is normal. the regional osseous structures are normal. impression: no active cardiopulmonary process?

Accepted Answer

: Your radiologist has examined your images and has determined that everything appears normal with no active disease. You can discuss this further with your physician who ordered the study.

Question 4

had chest xray done yesterday. says nonenlarged mediastinal cardiac silhouette. had an echocardiogram with stress test and doppler with color flow done a couple of months ago and it was normal. is this serious? very worried?

Accepted Answer

: The wording translates as normal. Radiologists get fussed at if they say that without describing what they see. Please discuss this with your doctor. I wouldn't waste any time worrying about this.

Question 5

what do you advise if i had pulmonary edema during gall bladder removal in 2011. the radiology report reads..the cardiac silhouette?

Accepted Answer

Not to worry: The X-ray was likely a post-operative portable.and you may have had signs of pulmonary edema by radiographic evidence. Since it has been 3 years since the study and there has been no clinical sequelae, I would not worry about it.

Question 6

i am experiencing crackling in my back and left side when inhaling and exhaling. i went for a chest x-ray and was told: "the cardiac silhouette is within normal limits. there are no focal areas of consolidation or effusion seen" why the crackles?

Accepted Answer

: It is impossible for you to hear the crackles due to any pulmonary parenchymal pathologic process. Your feeling experience has to be outside the lungs, either from thorax or spines. If you do not have any pain and other symptoms, that should resolve spontaneously. Good luck.

Question 7

ct scan with contrast found a 3mm nodule in my left lung, minimal dependent atelectasis, & an exaggerated cardiac silhouette. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary nodule: Any nodule in the lung, no matter what size, needs to be investigated  thoroughly. Comparison with previous chest xrays and CT scans  would be the priority. If you smoked tobacco, then further tests such as a PET scan  and a biopsy and bronchoscopy  are indicated.  Please see a pulmonologist soon.  Best wishes.

Question 8

my husband was diagnosed with borderline cardiac heart size. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

It depends: It depends on the type of test which he has had done. Most commonly such reports come from a routine chest x-ray which is not always reliable for  mild enlargment. I would not worry about it unless he has any reason that could cause enlargemnent of  heart such as high BP or heart murmur. If there is any ongoing concern a cardiologist can check him further with an echocardiogram  which is more reli.

Question 9

what does it means if my cardiac size cannot evaluated (ap view)?

Accepted Answer

Chest xray: There are certain technical factors associated with a PA view of the chest which can interfere with judging cardiac size. You need to discuss your situation with your Doc, it could easily mean nothing related to your body but be a technical issue.

Question 10

recent ultrasound says ivc remains prominent in size sometimes with cardiac  decompensation what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Cardiologist: A prominent Inferior vena cava on ultrasound can be seen with right-sided heart failure. You should talk with your doctor about the results and consider an echocardiogram if there is not another reason for your inferior vena cava to be prominent.

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Doctor answers about:

The cardiac silhouette is borderline in size

A member asked:

I just saw my x-ray results, what does this mean in laymans terms? the cardiac silhouette is top-normal in size to mildly enlarged. cardiologist didnt say anything about it, i showed her small black lines in thumbnail, again, not concerned?

A member asked:

My x-ray report says: mediastinum: mildly enlarged cardiac silhouette. what does this mean. is it serious?

A member asked:

Why did my radiologist write this? findings: the lungs and pleural spaces are clear. the cardiac silhouette is normal. the regional osseous structures are normal. impression: no active cardiopulmonary process?

A member asked:

Had chest xray done yesterday. says nonenlarged mediastinal cardiac silhouette. had an echocardiogram with stress test and doppler with color flow done a couple of months ago and it was normal. is this serious? very worried?

A member asked:

What do you advise if i had pulmonary edema during gall bladder removal in 2011. the radiology report reads..the cardiac silhouette?

A member asked:

I am experiencing crackling in my back and left side when inhaling and exhaling. i went for a chest x-ray and was told: "the cardiac silhouette is within normal limits. there are no focal areas of consolidation or effusion seen" why the crackles?

A member asked:

Ct scan with contrast found a 3mm nodule in my left lung, minimal dependent atelectasis, & an exaggerated cardiac silhouette. what does this mean?

A member asked:

My husband was diagnosed with borderline cardiac heart size. what does this mean?

A member asked:

What does it means if my cardiac size cannot evaluated (ap view)?

A member asked:

Recent ultrasound says ivc remains prominent in size sometimes with cardiac decompensation what does this mean?

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