Patchy inflammation of multiple lobes is characteristic of which pneumonia pattern?

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Patchy, multifocal consolidation signals bronchopneumonia. This pattern happens when infection starts in the bronchi and bronchioles and spreads outward to the adjacent alveoli, producing discrete patches of inflammation that can involve several lobes and both lungs. On imaging, these are ill-defined, small to moderate opacities scattered rather than a single, uniform mass. In contrast, lobar pneumonia shows a homogeneous consolidation of one whole lobe; interstitial pneumonia presents with diffuse interstitial markings rather than focal alveolar consolidations; aspiration pneumonia tends to localize to dependent parts of the lungs. So the hallmark with patchy involvement across multiple lobes is bronchopneumonia.