FINDINGS:

There is an homogeneous opacification of the lower and lateral portion of the right upper lobe. An air bronchogram is best visible on the lateral view, extending anterior and inferior to the hilum.

PATTERN:

The opacity is consolidative because it is cloudlike and confluent (rather than composed of dots or lines) and contains air filled bronchi that indicate patent airways leading through the abnormal area.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:

All five causes of alveolar filling could apply. The fact that the opacity contains sharp edges in the normal location of a fissure, means that the disease process stops at the edge of a lobe. This feature is most typical of hemorrhage or exudate.

DIAGNOSIS:

Pneumonia, pneumococcal


CORRELATION:

The specimen shows confluent alveolar filling with both blood and pus. Patent bronchi are visible in the closeup.