What does opacification mean on CT scan?

What does opacification mean on CT scan?

Ground glass opacity (GGO) refers to the hazy gray areas that can show up in CT scans or X-rays of the lungs. These gray areas indicate increased density inside the lungs. The term comes from a technique in glassmaking during which the surface of the glass is blasted by sand.

What opacification means?

Noun. 1. opacification – the process of becoming cloudy or opaque. natural action, natural process, action, activity – a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); “the action of natural forces”; “volcanic activity”

What is Antrum of maxillary sinus?

The maxillary sinus (or antrum of Highmore) is a paired pyramid-shaped paranasal sinus within the maxillary bone which drains via the maxillary ostium into the infundibulum, then through hiatus semilunaris into the middle meatus. It is the largest of the paranasal sinuses.

What does opacification mean in radiology?

Pulmonary opacification represents the result of a decrease in the ratio of gas to soft tissue (blood, lung parenchyma and stroma) in the lung. When reviewing an area of increased attenuation (opacification) on a chest radiograph or CT it is vital to determine where the opacification is.

What causes opacification of maxillary sinus?

Inflammation. Sinonasal inflammatory disease with sinus ostial obstruction is a very common cause of an opacified paranasal sinus. An air-fluid level suggests acute sinusitis; in chronic sinus disease, one may see mucosal thickening and sclerosis of the bony sinus walls.

What causes opacification?

The opacification is caused by fluid or solid material within the airways that causes a difference in the relative attenuation of the lung: transudate, e.g. pulmonary edema secondary to heart failure. pus, e.g. bacterial pneumonia. blood, e.g. pulmonary hemorrhage.

What does opacification of sinus mean?

Sinonasal inflammatory disease with sinus ostial obstruction is a very common cause of an opacified paranasal sinus. An air-fluid level suggests acute sinusitis; in chronic sinus disease, one may see mucosal thickening and sclerosis of the bony sinus walls. 1. The sinus is normal in size.

What happens when a foreign body enters the maxillary sinus?

Foreign bodies into the maxillary sinus may cause infectious complications due to the contact of the foreign body with the mucosa of the sinus interior, mainly, acute or chronic sinusitis. Local infection around the area may cause resorption of surrounding bone in the future.

What does opacities mean in medical terms?

o·pac·i·ty (ō-pas’i-tē), 1. A lack of transparency; an opaque or nontransparent area. 2. On a radiograph, a more transparent area is interpreted as an opacity to x-rays in the body.