Hello,
Macrophages phagocytose microbes and parasites, but not particles of wood.
If a physician has reassured you that your cardiac function is within normal limits by ECHO,rest assured, he has used to most appropriate investigation to asses the interior and function of your heart.
A particle below 1mm is too small to be picked by ECHO unless you went searching intentionally for it, a transesophageal ECHO (versus transthoracic ECHO could probably do a better job at that)
Seeing as you are currently asymptomatic, I can safely assure you that the chances of any long term heart damage through this incident is not possible.
With regards,
Patient replied :
Thank you very much.
My last concern is that is it possible for inflammation could be continued almost 1yr without any symptom or cannot be detected by eco becuase of that wood particle is too small.
If it is impossible, I could finish my concern. For example... One year inflammation is impossible...I am OK...or One year infammation could be detected by eco or symptom. I am OK.
Thank you very much.
Hello,
No, it is not possible to have inflammation of the heart lining without any symptoms or changes on ECHO for over 1 year.
Best wishes,
Patient replied :
Thank you very much.
I understand your point.
My last thinking for that issue is what if macrophage could not engulf or eat or encapsulate that wood particle, so inflammation doesn't stop almost 1yr...
1. is it possible for inflammation doesn't stop.
2. if it is possible, eventhough that particle is very small, after 1yrs... could we know easily by eco?
Sorry to bother you again... this will be the last my query... I really appreciate your reply.
Thank you very much. (If I know the sceince or medical knowldege, I do not think such a thinking.. pls. explain me with your medical knowledge. thank you very much.
Hello,
Microphages won't engulf the particle, there will be an inflammatory foci around the foreign body, and however small it is, since it is a foreign body, there will be inflammatory foci.
So it will be caught in the echo, and also the inflammation won't continue like that, but it will be enough to cause symptoms warranting investigation.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.