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Lung Opacity What You Should Know

Medically reviewed by Nick Villalobos, MD — By Catherine Crider on October 6, 2022Share on PinterestGND photography/Getty ImagesEven though over 80 million people undergo computed tomography (CT) scans each year in the United States, some of the words and phrases related to this imaging test can be complicated and hard to understand. For example, one term that healthcare professionals might use in reference to a lung CT scan is “opacity.” This is a radiological term that refers to the hazy gray areas on images made by CT scans or X-rays. This article will provide information about lung opacity, whether it means you have lung cancer, and what the outlook may be for those with lung opacity.

What is ground-glass opacity in the lungs

Ground-glass opacity is a radiological term that refers to hazy gray areas on the images made by CT scans or X-rays. It indicates increased density in these areas. Typically, the lungs appear black on a CT scan or X-ray. This shows that they are free of blockages. When gray areas are visible instead, it means that something is partially filling this area inside the lungs. These gray areas are referred to as ground-glass opacity. Ground-glass opacity can be a sign of:fluid, pus, or cells filling the air spacewalls of the alveoli thickeningspace between the lungs thickening Ground-glass opacity can result from a variety of causes, according to 2020 research. Sometimes it is temporary and the result of a short-term illness. In other cases, it can signify a chronic or more serious condition. Ground-glass opacity can also indicate an infection or other inflammatory process, which is usually what a clinician will share with you or your loved one who has had a CT scan or X-ray.

How do you tell if you re experiencing lung opacities

Healthcare professionals see lung opacities on imaging scans. Your doctor may suggest a scan of your lungs if you are experiencing: shortness of breathpersistent coughing coughing with yellow, green, or bloody mucuschest painsblue- or white-tinged fingertips or lipsvoice changes Opacities are also likely to show up on a scan if you have a history of smoking or vaping. It’s also good to know that chest CTs are used to screen for risk of lung cancer, and a physician may order a CT scan if you have a history of smoking.

What causes opacities in the lungs

Opacities in the lungs can be caused by a variety of both acute and chronic concerns. Some potential reasons for lung opacity include:pneumoniaCOVID-19pneumonitisEVALIinterstitial lung diseasepulmonary edemaalveolar hemorrhagelung cancer Depending on the type of opacity found, your doctor may also do cardiac testing to determine if heart conditions are playing a role.

Does lung opacity mean cancer

Lung opacities can indicate many conditions besides cancer. Many times they are benign (noncancerous). They may be due to infections, hemorrhages, a history of smoking, and even COVID-19. Lung opacities are common, 2021 research suggests. They can indicate a broad range of conditions, and your doctor may need to do further scans and tests to determine the exact cause of any lung opacities.

Are there different types of opacities in the lung

Lung opacity can show up on the imaging scan in a variety of ways, depending on the underlying condition. Some conditions will result in multiple types of opacities. Opacities may be:Diffuse: This describes when opacities show up in multiple lobes or both lungs. This is usually the result of fluid, damaged tissue, or inflammation.Nodular: This can mean either a malignant or benign condition. Because this opacity can be caused by small scars from a recent infection, doctors may choose to watch it over several scans to see if it grows. Centrilobular: This type of opacity can appear within one or several lobules of the lung. The connective tissues between the lobules will be unaffected in this type of opacity. Mosaic: Opaque areas vary in intensity in this pattern. It is due to small arteries or airways within the lung being blocked.Crazy paving: This describes a linear pattern that develops when spaces between the lobules widen.Halo sign: This describes when opacity fills the area around the nodules.Reversed halo sign: The opacity will be surrounded by liquid-filled tissue.

How do you treat lung opacity

Lung opacity can indicate different conditions that have their own treatment plans. Depending on the cause, your doctor may suggest: steroid medications to reduce inflammationimmunosuppressants to prevent your immune system from further damaging your lungsantibioticsoxygen treatmentssurgery If the lung opacity is due to cancer, treatment will vary depending on the severity and type. Treatment may include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Is this considered dangerous

Lung opacity can result from many different causes, with varying degrees of seriousness. Some conditions that cause lung opacity, like viral infections, are typically short-lived with low long-term risk. Other conditions, like alveolar hemorrhage and lung cancer, require more serious treatments. Ground-glass opacity nodules can be divided into two types: pure and partially solid. Pure nodules do not contain any solid mass, whereas partially solid nodules do have solid components. A 2019 study found that in cases when lung opacity showed cancer, pure ground-glass opacity nodules were more likely to be seen in earlier stages of lung cancer. There was also less lymph node invasion compared with ground-glass opacity nodules that also include solid masses. Additionally, pure ground-glass opacity nodules took longer to double in size than ground-glass opacity nodules with solid masses in these studies. This means that lung cancer outlook may be better when a person has pure ground-glass opacity, compared with scans that showed a solid part in the nodules.

Takeaway

After a CT scan or X-ray, a radiologist will look at the scan to determine if there are areas of concern. One thing that can show on a CT scan or X-ray is a degree of haziness referred to as opacity. Opacity on a lung scan can indicate a concern, but the cause can vary. Your doctor may recommend additional testing to determine the exact cause of any potential lung issues. The outlook and treatment options available will depend on the cause of the opacity. Last medically reviewed on October 6, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.de Matos MJR, et al. (2021). Differential diagnoses of acute ground-glass opacity in chest computed tomography: Pictorial essay.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7935089/El-Sherief AH, et al. (2014). Clear vision through the haze: A practical approach to ground-glass opacity.

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S036301881400005X?via%3DihubHuang C, et al. (2019). The prognostic significance of pure ground glass opacities in lung cancer computed tomographic images.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6909955/Lin YH, et al. (2020). Ground glass opacity on chest CT scans from screening to treatment: A literature review.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7434019/Medical imaging advances may reduce radiation risk for vulnerable patients. (2020).
nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2020/medical-imaging-advances-may-reduce-radiation-risk-vulnerable-patientsParekh M, et al. (2020). Review of the chest ct differential diagnosis of ground-glass opacities in the COVID era.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7350036/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 6, 2022 By Catherine Crider Edited By Mike Hoskins Medically Reviewed By Nick Villalobos, MD Copy Edited By Chris Doka Share this articleMedically reviewed by Nick Villalobos, MD — By Catherine Crider on October 6, 2022

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