June 2013 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ

Clinical History

A 42-year-old woman complained of cough and intermittent wheezing with shortness of breath. Her previous medical history was unremarkable. Frontal and lateral (Figures 1A and B) chest radiography was performed.

Figure 1. Frontal (Panel A) and lateral (Panel B) chest x-ray.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate?

1. The chest radiograph shows no abnormalities
2. The chest radiograph shows bilateral, basal reticulation suggesting fibrotic lung disease
3. The chest radiograph shows medial left lower lobe opacities
4. The chest radiograph shows large lung volumes associated with faint cystic change
5. The chest radiograph shows numerous small nodules suggesting a miliary pattern 

Reference as: Gotway MB. June 2013 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013;6(6):263-71. PDF