Granuloma: What is it?

My mother-in-law recently had a chest X-ray and was told she has granuloma in her lungs. What does that mean?

- Sue / No state given

Answer

A granuloma is a small area of inflammation in tissue due to injury, such as from an infection. Granulomas most often occur in the lungs but can occur in other parts of the body as well. They typically cause no signs or symptoms and are found incidentally on a chest X-ray done for some other reason. Although granulomas are noncancerous (benign), they may resemble cancer on an X-ray.

The most common cause of granuloma is histoplasmosis, a fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs. Most people with pulmonary histoplasmosis never suspect that they have the disease. Granulomas due to histoplasmosis are usually visible on X-rays because they become calcified and have the same density as bone.

A doctor may make a diagnosis of granuloma by a chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan. The images of affected tissue usually show scarring and calcification characteristic of a granuloma. Most granulomas don't require treatment.

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