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.
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.
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.
Pneumonia, pneumococcal
CORRELATION:
The specimen shows confluent alveolar filling with both blood and pus. Patent
bronchi are visible in the closeup.
