July 2018 Imaging Case of the Month
Michael B. Gotway, MD
Department of Radiology
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, AZ USA
Imaging Case of the Month CME Information
Completion of an evaluation form is required to receive credit and a link is provided on the last panel of the activity.
0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.75 hours
Lead Author(s): Michael B. Gotway, MD. All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.
Learning Objectives: As a result of completing this activity, participants will be better able to:
- Interpret and identify clinical practices supported by the highest quality available evidence.
- Establish the optimal evaluation leading to a correct diagnosis for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders.
- Translate the most current clinical information into the delivery of high quality care for patients.
- Integrate new treatment options for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep related disorders.
Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by case). Please also read the Technical Requirements.
CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.
Current Approval Period: January 1, 2017-December 31, 2018
Clinical History: An 81–year old non-smoking woman presented with complaints of shortness of breath for one month, more so when laying down. The patient had a history of Sjögren syndrome established 13 years earlier. She notes a history of dryness of the eyes and upper airways. Her medications included 5 mg prednisone daily as well as various vitamins and supplements. While she complained of several medication “allergies,” none were serious and most appeared to represent side effects or untoward reactions to medications as opposed to true allergic reactions. Her past medical history included arthritis, possible obstructive sleep apnea, kidney stones, and orthostatic hypotension, the latter thought to be related to her Sjögren syndrome. Her surgical history included a sternotomy for thymoma resection years earlier.
Her physical examination was unremarkable except for diminished breath sounds at the left base; her vital signs were within normal limits.
Frontal and lateral chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.
Figure 1. Frontal (A) & lateral (B) chest radiography.
Which of the following represents the most accurate assessment of the chest radiographic findings? (click on the correct answer to be directed to the second of eleven pages)
- Chest radiography shows an elevated left hemidiaphragm
- Chest radiography shows bibasilar fibrotic-appearing opacities
- Chest radiography shows cavitary pulmonary lesions
- Chest radiography shows multifocal bronchiectasis
- Chest radiography shows small pulmonary nodules
Cite as: Gotway MB. July 2018 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2018;17(1):15-27. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc086-18 PDF