Final answer:
MAS can cause a characteristic chest radiograph with diffuse ground-glass opacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
MAS stands for Macrophage Activation Syndrome, a severe and potentially life-threatening complication of certain rheumatic diseases. In patients with MAS, a characteristic chest radiograph may show diffuse ground-glass opacity. This is due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells and edema in the lung parenchyma, leading to a hazy, granular appearance on the x-ray. It is important to note that while diffuse ground-glass opacity is a common finding, it is not pathognomonic for MAS and can also be seen in other conditions such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome.