Conditions our MRI scans have found

Coronary artery calcification is when parts of the vessels of the heart accumulate calcium deposits. This calcification process is similar to atherosclerosis, which is when plaque (cholesterol containing fatty deposits) builds up and hardens the blood vessels, and it is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart attack and stroke).

Coronary stenosis is the blockage or narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. It is often due to atherosclerosis, which is when plaque (cholesterol containing fatty deposits) builds up and hardens the arteries. If atherosclerosis progresses, it can block blood flow causing a heart attack or stroke.

Bronchial wall thickening is a radiology description for thickened airway walls. It is usually caused by inflammation from a viral infection, irritating chemical exposure (e.g. cigarette smoke, cleaning chemicals) or asthma. The management for bronchial wall thickening depends on the underlying root cause. If you are smoking, the first treatment is to stop smoking.

Patchy consolidation refers to any finding where the air space in the lungs is being filled by fluid (i.e. water or pus). Consolidation of the lungs can happen for many reasons, including pneumonia, heart failure and lung cancer.

Bronchopulmonary describes the combination of the lung and airways. Past damage or inflammation to the lung tissue/pleura can show up as scars and granulomas (“marble” of scarring). Old tissue damage is not a cancerous condition.

Pectus excavatum is when the chest wall is depressed (caved in); this is a congenital condition (from birth) that does not change much after puberty (when the bones have matured and hardened). Although the cause is unknown, it accounts for 90% of chest wall disorders. It is usually solely a cosmetic concern, but when it is clinically significant, it can cause decreased exercise tolerance or shortness of breath.