Imaging

Those who care for patients with pulmonary, critical care or sleep disorders rely heavily on chest radiology and pathology to determine diagnoses. The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep publishes case-based articles with characteristic chest imaging and related pathology.

The editor of this section will oversee and coordinate the publication of a core of the most important chest imaging topics. In doing so, they encourage the submission of unsolicited manuscripts. It cannot be overemphasized that both radiologic and pathologic images must be of excellent quality. As a rule, 600 DPI is sufficient for radiographic and pathologic images. Taking pictures of plain chest radiographs and CT scans with a digital camera is strongly discouraged. The figures should be cited in the text and numbered consecutively. The stain used for pathology specimens and magnification should be mentioned in the figure legend. Those who care for patients with pulmonary, critical care or sleep disorders rely heavily on chest radiology and pathology to determine diagnoses. The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep publishes case-based articles with characteristic chest imaging and related pathology. The editor of this section will oversee and coordinate the publication of a core of the most important chest imaging topics. In doing so, they encourage the submission of unsolicited manuscripts. It cannot be overemphasized that both radiologic and pathologic images must be of excellent quality. As a rule, 600 DPI is sufficient for radiographic and pathologic images. Taking pictures of plain chest radiographs and CT scans with a digital camera is strongly discouraged. The figures should be cited in the text and numbered consecutively. The stain used for pathology specimens and magnification should be mentioned in the figure legend.

Rick Robbins, M.D. Rick Robbins, M.D.

December 2011 Case of the Month

Clinical History

A 19-year-old woman presents with complaints of cough, with a history of recurrent left pneumonias and abnormalities noted in the left lung on outside facility prior imaging. A frontal and lateral chest radiographic examination (Figures 1A and B) was performed. A chest radiograph (Figure 1C) obtained over one year previously is shown for comparison.

Figure 1.

What is the main finding on the current chest radiograph (Figures 1A and B)? How would you describe the finding?

  1. A left upper lobe mass is present
  2. A wide mediastinum is present
  3. Partial collapse of the left upper lobe is present
  4. An extrapulmonary lesion is projected over the left upper thorax
  5. A left pleural effusion is present

Reference as: Gotway MB. December 2011 case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care 2012;4:5-11. (Click here for a PDF version of the manuscript)

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