Respiratory bronchiolitis: radiographic and CT findings in a pathologically proven case

A small number of cases of cigarette-smoking-associated respiratory bronchi olitis (RB) with positive findings on the chest radiography have been repor ted in the literature. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings are available in even fewer cases. We describe the case of an asymptomatic female smoker presenting with a reticulomicronodular infiltrate on a routin e chest radiography. High-resolution CT was characterized by ground-glass o pacities and centrilobular micronodules with an upper lobe predominance. Su rgical biopsy revealed peribronchiolar lesions, with accumulation of brown pigmented macrophages in the lumen of alveolar and bronchiolar lumen, consi stent with the pathologic diagnosis of RB.