Round Pneumonia in Adults

We recently evaluated three adult patients with rounded densities on their chest roentgenograms in whom the final diagnosis was presumed to be lower respiratory tract infection. In all cases, the circular infiltrates proved to be localized “round pneumonias.” Round pneumonia has been well described in children but is less well known in adults. While uncommon, round pneumonia in adults may not be rare and deserves early diagnostic consideration to prevent unnecessary investigation.