Fever and Abdominal Pain in Man With Prior Stab Wounds

The patient has no other contributory medical history, and he denies significant occupational or animal exposures. He works as a security guard. He denies use of tobacco, alcohol, and injection drugs. No pertinent family history is elicited. Current medications include oxycodone, fluoxetine, and ferrous sulfate. The patient is febrile, tachycardic (heart rate to 110 beats per minute), and normotensive. The lungs are clear; cardiac auscultation yields normal findings. On examination of the abdomen, there is no evidence of organomegaly or pain to palpation. Findings from the remainder of the physical examination, including a skin examination, are normal. Laboratory evaluation reveals an elevated white blood cell count (13,000/μL), anemia (hemoglobin level, 9.4 g/dL; hematocrit, 25 mL/dL), and an elevated eosinophil count (6000/μL). Results of urinalysis and liver function tests are normal. Levels of amylase and lipase are normal. The results of colonoscopy are normal, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy reveals a small gastric erosion near the fundus with no other significant findings. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis obtained for evaluation of abdominal pain shows numerous tiny lung nodules within the visualized portion of the lung bases. There are no significant abdominal or pelvic findings. Posteroanterior (PA) and lateral chest radiographs are obtained to further evaluate the lung nodules seen on the CT scan of the abdomen. What does the PA film show, and what further action would you take to arrive at a diagnosis? (Answer on the next page.) Fever and abdominal pain in man with prior stab wounds: The PA radiograph (A) reveals diffuse miliary lung nodules. There is no evidence of lymphadenopathy or pleural effusion. A chest film obtained 7 days earlier was clear.