Klebsiella pneumonia typically presents with which radiographic feature?

• A. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage
• B. Upper lobe cavitary lesions
• C. Lower lobe pneumonitis without cavitation
• D. Pleural effusion only

Answer: (B)

Klebsiella pneumoniae typically produces a lobar pattern of pneumonia with tissue necrosis that can lead to cavitation, and this usually involves the upper lobes. On a chest X-ray you’d expect consolidation of an entire lobe, and if the infection has progressed, cavities can form within that infiltrate. This upper-lobe, potentially cavitating pattern fits Klebsiella especially in at‑risk patients (older age, alcohol use, aspiration risk).

Other patterns like diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, only a pleural effusion, or a non-cavitating lower-lobe pneumonitis are less characteristic for this organism, since Klebsiella’s classic imaging hallmark is upper-lobe involvement with possible cavitation due to necrosis.