Alveolar cell carcinoma: diagnostic pitfalls in evaluating the chest roentgenogram

We have reported two cases of biopsy-proven alveolar cell carcinoma, both initially thought to be pulmonary edema. The purpose of this report is to stress the variations of the roentgenographic pattern in alveolar cell carcinoma and to suggest that fiberoptic bronchoscopy with biopsy should be considered when a pattern thought to be that of pulmonary edema does not resolve with appropriate therapy.