Lung and Respiratory Diseases

Diagnosed with hilar granulomatous disease

05/02/2008 12:53PM

Question:

I have a history of multiple previous pulmonary emboli a couple of years ago and now I am having leg pain and chest pain and swelling in my feet. I also have asthma but i have had quite a bit of problems breathing lately and i just read on my report that the doctor diagnosed me with left hilar granulomatous disease and i am wondering if that could be causing my breathing problems if i am clear of blood clots? Also, what exactly is this?

Answer:

Granulomatous disease usually results from previous infection, for example histoplasmosis or tuberculosis. It usually does not cause symptoms but on occasion can cause blockage of the blood vessels in the lung. Swelling in the ankles can be due to many, many conditions but in patients with previous pulmonary emboli, it is most important to be sure that there is not a new blood clot in the legs and in the lung. You should speak with your doctor about whether you could have a deep venous thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism. If those are excluded, then evaluating for other conditions, such as heart failure, can be undertaken.

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Response by:

James N. Allen, Jr., MD
Professor - Clinical
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University