ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the radiographic patterns of pulmonary consolidation and illustrates the various pathological processes that can cause it. It describes the features of partial and complete collapse of the major lobes of the lungs. Whatever the terminology, the radiographic appearances of consolidation are those of homogeneous shadowing in part of the lung field with little or no lobar shrinkage. Consolidated lung may lose volume at any stage in disease progression but the crucial question is whether consolidation is secondary to collapse. Cavitation within an area of consolidation indicates a particular infecting organism or a completely different pathologic process, for example primary lung abscess or a cavitating pulmonary infarct. A unilateral pleural effusion in the presence of consolidation may suggest underlying malignancy or, alternatively, indicate empyema formation. Marked loss of volume of consolidated lung is highly suggestive of underlying, often malignant, disease and also rings alarm bells for further investigation.
