October 2013 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ 

Clinical History

A 67-year-old man with a history of hypertension and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the latter diagnosed 10 years earlier, in remission until recently, presented with complaints of weight loss, not eating much, lethargy, and shortness of breath. His CLL had recurred and he was treated with rituximab, and bendamustine (a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent) and intravenous immunoglobulin. Frontal chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.

Figure 1. Initial chest radiograph.

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

1. The chest radiograph shows basal predominant linear opacities suggesting fibrosis
2. The chest radiograph shows large lung volumes with cystic change
3. The chest radiograph shows multifocal ground-glass opacity and cavitary consolidation
4. The chest radiograph shows multifocal ground-glass opacity and consolidation associated with linear and reticular abnormalities
5. The chest radiograph shows multiple nodules

Reference as: Gotway MB. October 2013 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013;7(4):223-31. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc133-13 PDF