High-resolution computed tomography enhances the diagnosis and follow-up of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia

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 imagi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cristina AP Fontes, Alair Augusto SMD dos Santos, Solange A de Oliveira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2020-03-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/11665
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1972-2680