Differential Diagnosis for Ground Glass with Continuous Lung Infection
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pneumonia (specifically, atypical pneumonia or viral pneumonia): This is a common cause of ground glass opacities on imaging, especially in the context of continuous lung infection. The ground glass appearance is due to the partial filling of air spaces in the lungs by exudate or inflammatory cells.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Pulmonary edema: This condition can cause ground glass opacities due to fluid accumulation in the lungs, which could be secondary to heart failure, high altitude, or other causes.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Although more severe, ARDS can present with ground glass opacities on imaging, especially in the early stages, and is associated with significant lung injury.
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD): Certain types of ILD, such as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), can present with ground glass opacities, although the clinical context and other imaging features would help differentiate this from infectious causes.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Tuberculosis (TB): Although less common in some regions, TB can cause chronic lung infection and may present with ground glass opacities, especially in immunocompromised patients. Missing this diagnosis could lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Fungal infections (e.g., Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in immunocompromised patients): These infections can present similarly to bacterial or viral pneumonias but require different treatment approaches.
- Sarcoidosis: While less likely to cause "continuous lung infection," sarcoidosis can present with ground glass opacities and should be considered, especially if other systemic symptoms are present.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Lymphangitic carcinomatosis: This rare condition involves the spread of cancer to the lymphatic vessels of the lungs and can cause ground glass opacities.
- Eosinophilic pneumonia: This condition, characterized by an accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs, can present with ground glass opacities and is often associated with parasitic infections or drug reactions.
- Alveolar proteinosis: A rare condition characterized by the accumulation of surfactant-like protein and phospholipids in the alveoli, leading to ground glass opacities on imaging.