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.
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