Lung consolidation is a condition where the air in the small airways of the lungs is replaced with a fluid, solid, or other material such as pus, blood, water, stomach contents, or cells. It is characterized by an area of homogeneous increase in lung parenchymal attenuation that obscures the margins of vessels and airway walls. Some of the symptoms of lung consolidation include chest pain or heaviness, rapid breathing, fever, and fatigue. The most common cause of lung consolidation is pneumonia, which is usually due to bacteria or a virus, but it can also be caused by a fungus or other unusual organisms. Other causes of lung consolidation include pulmonary edema, lung cancer, and atelectasis.

Lung consolidation is most easily seen on an X-ray, where the consolidated parts of the lung look white or opaque. The way the consolidation is distributed on the X-ray may help the doctor figure out the cause, but other tests are almost always needed, such as blood tests. Ultrasound can also be used to distinguish consolidated lung from effusion and can be essential prior to performing a thoracentesis to determine if there is sufficient fluid to be tapped.

In summary, lung consolidation is a condition where the air in the small airways of the lungs is replaced with a fluid, solid, or other material, and it is most commonly caused by pneumonia. It can be diagnosed through X-rays, blood tests, and ultrasound.