CXR Case 055
A 24 year old male presents with worsening cough and breathlessness and a 3 day history of an itchy rash predominantly over his torso.
CXR 
Torso 
Anterior chest
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Describe and interpret this CXR and clinical images
IMAGE INTERPRETATION
There is are bilateral mid zone nodular infiltrates, predominantly affecting the upper lobes.
There is a vesicular rash over the torso, arms and face.
The lesions are of different stages: macules, papules and vesicles.
CLINICAL CORRELATION
This is acute varicella infection (chicken pox) with varicella pneumonitis.
CLINICAL PEARLS
Varicella pneumonia can occur in up to 1:400 cases of immune competent adults and carries a mortality of up to 30%.
Prompt administration of intravenous acyclovir is associated with clinical improvement.
TOP 150 CXR SERIES
Prof Fraser Brims Curtin Medical School, acute and respiratory medicine specialist, immediate care in sport doc, ex-Royal Navy, academic| Top 100 CXR | Google Scholar | ICIS Course ANZ