November 2011 Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Associate Editor Imaging

Reference as: Gotway MB. November 2011 Case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care 2011;3: 154-8. (Click here for PDF version of manuscript)

Clinical History

A 47-year-old woman presents with complaints of hemoptysis. The hemoptysis was witnessed and was massive, resulting in anemia. A frontal and lateral chest radiograph (Figures 1A and B) was performed.

Figure 1: Frontal and lateral chest radiograph

What is the main finding on the chest radiograph? How would you describe the finding?

1. A solitary pulmonary nodule
2. An anterior mediastinal mass
3. Basal predominant linear and reticular abnormalities suggesting fibrotic lung disease
4. An intracavitary mass superimposed on a background of interstitial abnormality
5. Bilateral pleural effusions and thickening