2.7 Consolidation and Interstitial Pneumonia Flashcards
What is consolidation?
Describe its appearance on CXR.
Consolidation refers to ‘regions of indistinct margins consisting of fluffy opacities that become confluent over time.’
It is caused by airways disease secondary to filling of the alveolar spaces with blood, water, pus or cells.
Name 3 radiographic signs which suggest consolidation on a CXR.
- Air bronchograms
- Silhouette sign
- Spine sign
What are the possible categories of pneumonia?
- Appearance - Localised/Diffuse
- Location - Airspace/Interstitial
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
RUL consolidation abuts the major fissure, producing a sharp margin.
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
RML consolidation silhouettes the R heart border in the PA view and overlies the heart in the lateral view, making it appear brighter.
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
RLL consolidation silhouettes the R hemidiaphragm.
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
LUL consolidation silhouettes the L upper mediastinum.
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
L lingular consolidation - L lingular is the analogous region to the RML in the L lung.
It causes fuzziness of the L heart border around the apex.
Which lobe is the consolidation located in?
What are the key characteristic features of this?
LLL consolidation silhouettes the L hemidiaphragm.
What does this CXR show?
Interstitial pneumonia.
It is a slightly different pattern of pneumonia in that it does not have the typical ‘consolidation’ findings.
Has a fine reticular pattern, i.e. ‘linear opacities creating a fine haziness’, compared to fluffy opaque regions of consolidation. Note that the heart borders and hemidiaphragmatic borders are still visible.
What’s this?
This is a cavitary lesion. Note there are thick walls with a central cavity.
What’s this?
This is a paediatric CXR with a round pneumonia in the RML.
What’s this?
Aspiration pneumonia on axial CT of lungs.
