Pulmonary opacification represents the result of a decrease in the ratio of gas to soft tissue (blood, lung parenchyma and stroma) in the lung. When reviewing an area of increased attenuation (opacification) on a chest radiograph or CT it is vital to determine where the opacification is. The patterns can broadly be divided into airspace opacification, lines and dots.
Classification of pulmonary opacification
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miliary (<2 mm), e.g. miliary tuberculosis
micronodular (2-7 mm), e.g. acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis
nodule (7-30 mm), e.g. lung metastasis, lung granuloma
mass (>30 mm), e.g. lung cancer
See also
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pulmonary opacification
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