Ground-glass opacity
Ground-glass opacity (pronunciation: /graʊnd glɑːs ɒˈpæsɪti/) is a term used in Radiology to describe a specific appearance seen on CT scans of the lungs.
Etymology
The term "ground-glass" is derived from the appearance of ground or frosted glass, which is translucent but not transparent, similar to the appearance of the affected areas in the lungs on a CT scan. The term "opacity" refers to the area of the lung that appears lighter (or more "opaque") on the scan.
Definition
Ground-glass opacity refers to a finding seen on CT scans where a part of the lung appears hazy, rather than clear. This is due to partial filling of air spaces in the lung by inflammation, infection, fluid, or fibrosis. It is not a disease itself, but rather a response to various forms of lung disease.
Related Terms
- Pulmonary fibrosis: A condition characterized by the presence of excess fibrous connective tissue in the lungs.
- Pneumonia: An inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli.
- Interstitial lung disease: A group of lung diseases affecting the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs).
- Bronchiectasis: A disease in which there is permanent enlargement of parts of the airways of the lung.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ground-glass opacity
- Wikipedia's article - Ground-glass opacity
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