Emergency Care Discovered Metal in My Mother's Lung, Referred to Hospital
My mother, aged 55, encountered a serious situation that led to her being directed to the emergency room after seeking help at an urgent care facility. She had been suffering from intense discomfort beneath her breast and visible bruising in that region for about a week. An x-ray performed at the urgent care revealed the presence of a foreign metallic object in her lung. Her medical history includes diabetes, as well as being a smoker. She underwent gastric bypass surgery over twenty years ago, which resulted in multiple complications. Additionally, she had knee surgery roughly a decade ago following an accident, and it is believed that the metal in her lung may be linked to that procedure. Currently, she remains in the emergency department. We are seeking to understand the gravity of the situation and what we should anticipate. I am particularly concerned about the possibility of a lung puncture contributing to her pain. It's quite startling to think about the migration of a surgical metallic fragment from her knee to her lung. Any insights or information on what we might expect would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help!
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 12:40:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your mother's situation; it sounds very distressing for both her and your family. Discovering a metallic object in her lung is certainly serious, and it's understandable that you have many questions regarding her condition.
Main Points:
Your mother has a foreign metallic object in her lung, which can lead to potential complications, especially given her medical history. Immediate medical evaluation and management are crucial.
Explanation:
The presence of a metal object in the lung can stem from various sources, including prior surgeries, as you suspected. In her case, if it's linked to her knee surgery, the object could either be a surgical fragment or something that migrated unintentionally. This can potentially cause issues such as pain, difficulty breathing, or an infection.
Given her existing conditions, like diabetes and her smoking history, there are additional considerations:
- Diabetes can affect her immune response, making infections more serious.
- Smoking can hinder lung healing and exacerbate respiratory issues.
Next Steps:
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Await Further Evaluation: The medical team will likely conduct additional imaging or assessments to assess the size of the metal object, its exact location, and whether it poses an immediate risk to her health (such as a punctured lung).
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Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes in her breathing, increased pain, or signs of infection (like fever). These symptoms should be communicated to her healthcare team immediately.
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Discuss Treatment Options: Once the medical staff has assessed her situation, they'll discuss possible interventions. These could range from monitoring her condition to potential procedures for removal of the metal, if necessary.
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Emotional Support: This is a challenging time, both for her and for you. Ensure that you and your family members provide her with emotional support and work together to assist her in the recovery process.
I understand this is all very overwhelming, but the medical professionals are in a better position to provide targeted interventions based on her current clinical status. If you have any further questions about her specific care or recovery, feel free to reach out for more information. Stay by her side, and take care of yourself during this time.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.