J Infect Dev Ctries. 2020 Mar 31;14(3):317-320. doi: 10.3855/jidc.11665.
High-resolution computed tomography enhances the diagnosis and follow-up of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia.
Fontes CA1, Dos Santos AAS2, De Oliveira SA3.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
We present the findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia of 140 patients with acute and post-acute pneumonia, totaling 189 exams in a retrospective observational study evaluating the importance of HRCT as a diagnostic imaging method in the acute phase and in the follow-up of pneumonia.
METHODOLOGY:
We performed a retrospective observational study evaluating the HRCT findings of 140 adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and without other associated infectious processes. Chest X-ray exams were also performed in these patients.
RESULTS:
The main HRCT findings of lung involvement were airspace consolidation (57 cases), ground-glass opacities (40 cases) and an association of both aspects (43 cases), with a predominantly bilateral and peripheral distribution.
CONCLUSIONS:
HRCT is able to distinguish small lesions, such as small areas of consolidation or ground glass opacities, with little increase in lung attenuation, when chest X-rays was normal, allowing a prompt diagnosis and treatment after imaging.
Copyright (c) 2020 Cristina AP Fontes, Alair Augusto SMD dos Santos, Solange A de Oliveira.
KEYWORDS:
H1N1; HRCT; Influenza A; air trapping; end expiration HRCT; pneumonia
PMID:32235094DOI:10.3855/jidc.11665
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