The most common acute infection and leading cause of death in children worldwide is pneumonia. Clinical and laboratory tests essentially diagnose community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CAP can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or atypical microorganisms. Imaging is usually reserved for children who do not respond to treatment, need hospitalisation, or have hospital-acquired pneumonia. This review discusses the imaging findings for acute CAP complications and the diagnostic role of each imaging modality. Pleural effusion, empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, abscess, pneumatocele, pleural fistulas, and paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) are acute CAP complications. When evaluating complicated CAP patients, chest radiography, lung ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used, with each having their own pros and cons. Imaging is usually not needed for CAP diagnosis, but it is essential for complicated cases and follow-ups. Lung ultrasound can supplement chest radiography (CR), which starts the diagnostic algorithm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is used for complex cases. Advances in MRI protocols make it a viable alternative for diagnosing CAP and its complications.

Imaging of Acute Complications of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Paediatric Population—From Chest Radiography to MRI

Ciet, Pierluigi
Ultimo
Writing – Review & Editing
2024-01-01

Abstract

The most common acute infection and leading cause of death in children worldwide is pneumonia. Clinical and laboratory tests essentially diagnose community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CAP can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or atypical microorganisms. Imaging is usually reserved for children who do not respond to treatment, need hospitalisation, or have hospital-acquired pneumonia. This review discusses the imaging findings for acute CAP complications and the diagnostic role of each imaging modality. Pleural effusion, empyema, necrotizing pneumonia, abscess, pneumatocele, pleural fistulas, and paediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) are acute CAP complications. When evaluating complicated CAP patients, chest radiography, lung ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used, with each having their own pros and cons. Imaging is usually not needed for CAP diagnosis, but it is essential for complicated cases and follow-ups. Lung ultrasound can supplement chest radiography (CR), which starts the diagnostic algorithm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is used for complex cases. Advances in MRI protocols make it a viable alternative for diagnosing CAP and its complications.
2024
community-acquired pneumonia; complicated pneumonia; computed tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; pediatrics; ultrasound.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/394305
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