Pulmonary oedema mimicking bronchiectasis.

A previously completely fit and well 62-year-old man presented with a 4-week history of lethargy and increasing shortness of breath. This had been preceded by a flu-like illness that had been treated in the community with ciprofloxacin to no effect. There was no history of smoking, tuberculosis exposure or significant exposure to birds. Clinically the patient appeared well and was comfortable and conversant with no peripheral oedema. Chest auscultation revealed normal breath sounds and a loud pansystolic murmur over the cardiac apex. A chest radiograph and a subsequent CT scan showed widespread fibrotic and bronchiectatic changes, predominantly in the right upper lobe, with bilateral pleural effusions. Echocardiography revealed a posterior mitral valve prolapse. He was treated with loop diuretics and a mitral valve repair that resolved his symptoms and radiographic findings. This is the first English language case report of pulmonary oedema causing bronchiectatic lung appearances.