What would chest x-rays for pneumonia or TB typically show?

Chest X-rays for pneumonia or tuberculosis typically show a variety of radiographic signs that indicate the presence and extent of infection in the lungs. In cases of pneumonia, you would often observe areas of consolidation or infiltrates in the affected lung fields, which result from the accumulation of fluid, pus, or other cellular debris in the alveoli. This infiltrative pattern is best described as more than minor, typically presenting as patchy or dense areas, depending on the severity of the infection.

In the context of tuberculosis, a common finding is cavitary lesions and possibly Ghon complexes, which can also be identified on chest X-rays but may not be adequately described by "minor infiltrates." The perception of radiographic findings as "minor" might lead to an underestimation of the severity of the pathology.

The presence of elevated or low diaphragms, hyperinflation, or blunting of the costophrenic angle is more specific to different conditions. An elevated diaphragm can occur due to pleural effusion, while hyperinflation could indicate obstructive pulmonary disease rather than infection. Blunting of the costophrenic angle is often associated with pleural effusions rather than direct indicators of pneumonia or TB.

Thus, the identification of infiltrates