Which condition might cause patchy infiltrates in a lung radiograph?

Patchy infiltrates on a lung radiograph typically represent areas of abnormal lung density, often associated with various pulmonary conditions. In the case of atelectasis, the lung tissues may collapse or become airless, leading to localized regions of increased density. This can manifest as patchy infiltrates on imaging studies.

When examining atelectasis, one must recognize that it can present in various forms, such as lobar or segmental, and this variability often contributes to the patchy appearance on X-rays. Areas of lung that are atelectatic can appear denser because the air normally filling those spaces is absent, allowing blood vessels and adjacent structures to create a contrast that is often described as patchy.

In contrast, pneumonia typically presents with more homogeneous consolidation rather than patchy infiltrates, pulmonary edema more usually shows a diffuse pattern, particularly in the alveolar spaces, while a pneumothorax would not typically present as infiltrates at all, as it involves the presence of air in the pleural space instead of fluid or solid material in lung tissue.