Consolidation with diffuse or focal high attenuation: computed tomography findings

Abstract

This pictorial essay aims to present various lesions that could present as consolidations with diffuse of focal high attenuation on computed tomography, helping to make the diagnosis more confident and specific. The radiologic literature has limited information about such findings and the role of computed tomography in the differential diagnosis. The following diseases are presented: metastatic pulmonary calcification, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, amiodarone lung, talcosis, iodinated oil embolism, tuberculosis, silicoproteinosis, and amyloidosis. In conclusion, air-space consolidations can be seen in a wide variety of diseases affecting the lungs. The identification of the different patterns of consolidation with focal high attenuation narrows the differential diagnosis. We present a diagnostic approach based on appearance and distribution of these lesions.