Pulmonary Disorders Mimicking Infectious Pneumonia

Abstract

The initial insult to the respiratory tract and the manner in which a response occurs are reflected in a patient’s clinical presentation and supporting laboratory data.¹ A person presenting with a productive cough of green sputum, fever and chills, and a peribronchial infiltrate on chest radiograph probably has bronchopneumonia. Because the pulmonary parenchyma has similar responses to a wide variety of insults, however, the radiographic findings in many infectious and noninfectious disorders are the same. A chest radiograph therefore should not be interpreted in a void. Accordingly, clinical setting and pertinent laboratory data are essential for establishing the correct diagnosis.