Question

Translate in 6th graders response
There is no pulmonary embolism. The heart is borderline enlarged. The aorta and pulmonary artery are normal in
size. Coronary arteries are calcified. There is no pericardial effusion.
Pleural effusions are present, small on the left side, moderate in size on the right. There is crescent shaped atelectasis
posteriorly in both lower lobes, as well as patchy scattered airspace opacities in the upper lobes which are most consistent
with pneumonia. Very faint diffuse groundglass opacities reflect edema. The esophagus and trachea are normal. There is no
mass or lymphadenopathy in the mediastinum. Axillary lymph nodes are not enlarged. There are no significant abnormalities
in the visualized breasts or chest wall.
Upper abdominal organs are grossly normal.
There is spondylosis and arthritis in the right glenohumeral joint, no other significant osseous abnormality.
IMPRESSION:
1. No pulmonary embolism.
2. Bilateral upper lobe pneumonia. Pulmonary edema.
3. Bilateral pleural effusions and bibasilar atelectasis.

Answer 1

Here’s the report in simpler words a 6th grader would understand:

- There is no blood clot in the lungs.
- The heart is a little bigger than usual.
- The big blood vessels near the heart look normal.
- Some of the heart’s arteries have calcium in them (this just means they are a bit hardened).
- There is no extra fluid around the heart.
- There is extra fluid around the lungs — a small amount on the left and a bigger amount on the right.
- The very back bottom parts of both lungs are partly collapsed (like a small area not fully filled with air).
- The top parts of both lungs have patchy spots that look like pneumonia (a lung infection).
- There are very faint hazy areas that suggest some fluid inside the lungs (called pulmonary edema).
- The windpipe and food pipe look normal.
- There are no tumors or large swollen nodes in the chest or armpits.
- The organs in the upper belly look okay.
- There is some wear-and-tear in the spine and arthritis in the right shoulder.

Main takeaways (the doctor’s impression):
1. No blood clot in the lungs.
2. Pneumonia in both upper lungs and some fluid in the lungs.
3. Fluid around both lungs and small areas of collapsed lung at the bases.

If this is about you or someone you know, talk with your doctor to find out what treatment is needed next.