Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hello Doctor, I have a scar on my lung (so I have been told after doing an X-ray) which is from a case of double pneumonia that I had almost 30 years ago (I am no 45). Is there any way this could be mistaken for a TB scar? If so, how can I prove otherwise? This is for a medical for the Middle East. Thank you. Molly
[|AI|]  Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Yes, your scar can be mistaken as tuberculosis lesions, and you may fail your medical on this basis. Any lung insult whether tuberculosis or pneumonia or Pulmonary contusions heal by following mechanism. 1. Fibrosis 2. Calcification 3. Bronchiectasis 4. Rarely complete resolution. First two are more common, and it will remain as it is throughout the life. So to prove that it is old, healed scar and not active lesion, you need to consult pulmonologist and get done CT thorax with Contrast and bronchoscopy with BAD (bronchoalveolar lavage) analysis. If both these are negative for tuberculosis or other infection, then you can argue with visa authority about not having active, infectious tuberculosis and your lesions are old, healed, fibrotic, inactive lesions. Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.