- What is it:
The arcade-like sign in the lungs refers to the appearance of curvilinear or arched opacities in the peripheral lung parenchyma, forming a loop or “arcade” pattern. It represents perilobular fibrosis, often seen in organizing pneumonia or other fibrotic lung diseases. - Etymology:
Derived from “arcade,” meaning a series of arches, describing the curved arrangement of linear opacities. - AKA:
Perilobular pattern.
How does it appear on each relevant imaging modality?
- Chest X-ray (CXR):
- May not be clearly visible.
- Peripheral opacities can suggest the presence of organizing pneumonia but lack the detail for the arcade-like pattern.
- CT (Chest CT):
- Parts: Curvilinear opacities outlining the secondary pulmonary lobules.
- Size: Corresponds to the boundaries of the secondary pulmonary lobule.
- Shape: Arched or curvilinear.
- Position: Peripheral lung zones; may involve multiple lobes.
- Character: Ground-glass or consolidative density, often with a perilobular distribution.
- Time: Can evolve over weeks to months, either resolving or progressing to fibrosis.
- Differential Diagnosis:
- Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP)
- Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia
- Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (e.g., NSIP)
- Resolving pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary hemorrhage (perilobular distribution)
- Recommendations:
- Correlate with clinical and laboratory findings (e.g., autoimmune panels, eosinophil count).
- Consider biopsy if the diagnosis remains uncertain and imaging findings are atypical.
- Follow up with serial imaging to assess response to treatment.
Key Points and Pearls:
- Commonly associated with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP).
- The arcade-like sign is often seen in cases with ill-defined linear opacities representing fibrosis along perilobular connective tissues.
- Contrast with honeycombing, which represents end-stage fibrosis with clustered cystic spaces.
- Timely recognition can guide treatment, often involving corticosteroids for organizing pneumonia.
Feature | Subpleural Band | Arcade-like Sign | Linear Atelectasis |
Definition | Linear opacity parallel to the pleura | Curvilinear opacity outlining lobules | Thin linear opacity, gravity-dependent |
Cause | Chronic fibrosis | Organizing pneumonia | Dependent lung collapse |
Histopathology | Dense fibrosis in intralobular interstitium | Fibroblast proliferation in perilobular tissue | Compressed but reversible alveoli |
HRCT | Persistent thin lines; honeycombing may occur | Perilobular curvilinear opacities; reversible | Thin lines resolving with position change |
CXR | Subtle linear opacity in peripheral lung | Patchy consolidation or curvilinear lines | Faint linear opacity in dependent lung regions |
Reversibility | Irreversible | Partially reversible with treatment | Reversible with positional changes |
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => table [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => table [nodeValue] => Feature Subpleural Band Arcade-like Sign Linear Atelectasis Definition Linear opacity parallel to the pleura Curvilinear opacity outlining lobules Thin linear opacity, gravity-dependent Cause Chronic fibrosis Organizing pneumonia Dependent lung collapse Histopathology Dense fibrosis in intralobular interstitium Fibroblast proliferation in perilobular tissue Compressed but reversible alveoli HRCT Persistent thin lines; honeycombing may occur Perilobular curvilinear opacities; reversible Thin lines resolving with position change CXR Subtle linear opacity in peripheral lung Patchy consolidation or curvilinear lines Faint linear opacity in dependent lung regions Reversibility Irreversible Partially reversible with treatment Reversible with positional changes [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => table [baseURI] => [textContent] => Feature Subpleural Band Arcade-like Sign Linear Atelectasis Definition Linear opacity parallel to the pleura Curvilinear opacity outlining lobules Thin linear opacity, gravity-dependent Cause Chronic fibrosis Organizing pneumonia Dependent lung collapse Histopathology Dense fibrosis in intralobular interstitium Fibroblast proliferation in perilobular tissue Compressed but reversible alveoli HRCT Persistent thin lines; honeycombing may occur Perilobular curvilinear opacities; reversible Thin lines resolving with position change CXR Subtle linear opacity in peripheral lung Patchy consolidation or curvilinear lines Faint linear opacity in dependent lung regions Reversibility Irreversible Partially reversible with treatment Reversible with positional changes )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Reversible with positional changes [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Reversible with positional changes )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Partially reversible with treatment [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Partially reversible with treatment )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Irreversible [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Irreversible )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Reversibility [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Reversibility )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Faint linear opacity in dependent lung regions [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Faint linear opacity in dependent lung regions )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Patchy consolidation or curvilinear lines [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Patchy consolidation or curvilinear lines )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Subtle linear opacity in peripheral lung [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Subtle linear opacity in peripheral lung )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => CXR [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => CXR )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Thin lines resolving with position change [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Thin lines resolving with position change )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Perilobular curvilinear opacities; reversible [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Perilobular curvilinear opacities; reversible )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Persistent thin lines; honeycombing may occur [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Persistent thin lines; honeycombing may occur )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => HRCT [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => HRCT )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Compressed but reversible alveoli [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Compressed but reversible alveoli )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Fibroblast proliferation in perilobular tissue [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Fibroblast proliferation in perilobular tissue )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Dense fibrosis in intralobular interstitium [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Dense fibrosis in intralobular interstitium )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Histopathology [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Histopathology )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Dependent lung collapse [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Dependent lung collapse )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Organizing pneumonia [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Organizing pneumonia )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Chronic fibrosis [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Chronic fibrosis )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Cause [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Cause )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Thin linear opacity, gravity-dependent [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Thin linear opacity, gravity-dependent )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Curvilinear opacity outlining lobules [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Curvilinear opacity outlining lobules )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => [lastElementChild] => [childElementCount] => 0 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Linear opacity parallel to the pleura [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Linear opacity parallel to the pleura )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Definition [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Definition )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Linear Atelectasis [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Linear Atelectasis )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Arcade-like Sign [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Arcade-like Sign )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Subpleural Band [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Subpleural Band )
DOMElement Object ( [schemaTypeInfo] => [tagName] => td [firstElementChild] => (object value omitted) [lastElementChild] => (object value omitted) [childElementCount] => 1 [previousElementSibling] => [nextElementSibling] => (object value omitted) [nodeName] => td [nodeValue] => Feature [nodeType] => 1 [parentNode] => (object value omitted) [childNodes] => (object value omitted) [firstChild] => (object value omitted) [lastChild] => (object value omitted) [previousSibling] => (object value omitted) [nextSibling] => (object value omitted) [attributes] => (object value omitted) [ownerDocument] => (object value omitted) [namespaceURI] => [prefix] => [localName] => td [baseURI] => [textContent] => Feature )