Final answer:
A pulmonary contusion typically appears on a chest X-ray as bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, resembling white, opaque patches within the lung fields. Treatment includes supportive care to ensure oxygenation, along with managing pain and preventing complications. Antibiotics may be used if there is a secondary bacterial infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical CXR findings for pulmonary contusion include bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, which appear as opaque patches within the lung fields due to the accumulation of blood and fluid. These findings may resemble those seen in pneumonia, but are usually the result of a direct trauma to the chest.
As for treatment (Tx), management of pulmonary contusion primarily focuses on supportive care, including ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation, preventing complications such as pneumonia, and managing pain. In some cases, antibiotics may be administered if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed. Hospitalization and close monitoring can be required for severe cases.
A reference to CXR findings can be made to Figure 4.6, which shows "caving formation", but it is important to note that pneumothorax (as in the case of spontaneous pneumothorax with collapsed lung) and tuberculosis (formation of tubercles) present differently on radiographs and are different conditions from pulmonary contusion.