Which infiltrative pattern is closely associated with pulmonary edema?

The batwing pattern is closely associated with pulmonary edema due to its characteristic appearance on imaging studies, particularly chest X-rays. This pattern resembles the wings of a bat, where bilateral perihilar opacities are observed, typically indicating fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces of the lungs. This occurs as a result of increased pulmonary capillary pressure, often seen in conditions such as congestive heart failure.

In contrast, while the other options present specific lung conditions or patterns, they do not directly indicate pulmonary edema in the same way. The crowded air bronchogram usually reflects consolidation from infections or other pathologies, the ground glass appearance often suggests interstitial lung disease or mild edema but is less definitive for pulmonary edema, and patchy infiltrates can be associated with numerous lung processes, making them less specific for identifying pulmonary edema. Thus, the batwing pattern effectively links directly to the clinical manifestation of pulmonary edema, providing a clear visual reference on imaging that helps in diagnosing this condition.