February 2019 Imaging Case of the Month: Recurrent Bronchitis and Pneumonia in a 66-Year-Old Woman
Michael B. Gotway, MD
Department of Radiology
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, AZ
Clinical History: A 66–year old woman presented with complaints of a non-productive cough worsening over the previous several weeks. She complained that her cough had also occurred several months earlier, but resolved, and then subsequently returned.
The patient indicated that she has had bouts of bronchitis off and on for many years. Her smoking history included only 3 cigarettes / day for two years, quitting 20 years earlier. She did not note any allergies and her list of medications included only vitamin supplements, baby aspirin, omeprazole, and lisinopril. Her surgical history was remarkable only for remote tonsillectomy and hysterectomy.
Her physical examination was largely unremarkable, although some course breath sounds were detected over the medial right base. Her vital signs showed normal pulse rate and blood pressure, breathing at 12 breaths / minute. Her room air oxygen saturation was 97%.
Frontal chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.
Figure 1. Initial frontal chest x-ray.
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 sixteen pages)
- Chest radiography shows a vague solitary pulmonary opacity
- Chest radiography shows basilar fibrotic opacities
- Chest radiography shows cavitary pulmonary lesions
- Chest radiography shows marked cardiomegaly
- Chest radiography shows numerous small nodular opacities
Cite as: Gotway MB. February 2016 imaging case of the month: Recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia in a 66-year-old woman. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2019;18(2):31-49. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc006-19 PDF