What would you expect to see on CXR with airspace disease?

In the context of airspace disease, the expected finding on a chest X-ray (CXR) is consolidation. Consolidation appears as areas of increased opacity in the lung fields, indicating fluid or solid material in the alveoli. This can be due to various conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or other processes that fill the airspaces with fluid or cells.

Ground glass opacities, while they can be seen in certain conditions, are more indicative of interstitial lung disease or early stages of processes that might lead to consolidation rather than the consolidation itself. Consolidation, by definition, shows complete opacity as the airspaces are filled, making it the hallmark finding associated specifically with airspace disease.

Therefore, understanding consolidation on CXR is essential for diagnosing conditions that affect the airspaces of the lungs.