Diffuse pulmonary abnormalities: clinical correlations.

The clinical correlations of diffuse pulmonary opacities, visible on the chest X-ray, are reviewed and the main diagnostic investigations outlined. Clinically the patients are classified into those with fever; those with no symptoms; those with cough, malaise and loss of weight, but no fever; and those with dyspnoea as the main symptom. The possible diseases giving rise to each group of manifestations are reviewed and the differential diagnosis discussed.