Imaging in pulmonary infections of immunocompetent adult patients

Autor: Svitlana Pochepnia, Elzbieta Magdalena Grabczak, Emma Johnson, Fusun Oner Eyuboglu, Onno Akkerman, Helmut Prosch
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Breathe, Vol 20, Iss 1 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1810-6838
2073-4735
20734735
DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0186-2023
Popis: Pneumonia is a clinical syndrome characterised by fever, cough and alveolar infiltration of purulent fluid, caused by infection with a microbial pathogen. It can be caused by infections with bacteria, viruses or fungi, but a causative organism is identified in less than half of cases. The most common type of pneumonia is community-acquired pneumonia, which is caused by infections acquired outside the hospital. Current guidelines for pneumonia diagnosis require imaging to confirm the clinical suspicion of pneumonia. Thus, imaging plays an important role in both the diagnosis and management of pneumonia, with each modality having specific advantages and limitations. Chest radiographs are commonly used but have limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Lung ultrasound shows high sensitivity and specificity. Computed tomography scans offer higher diagnostic accuracy but involve higher radiation doses. Radiological patterns, including lobar, lobular and interstitial pneumonia, provide valuable insights into causative pathogens and treatment decisions. Understanding these radiological patterns is crucial for accurate diagnosis. In this review, we will summarise the most important aspects pertaining to the role of imaging in pneumonia and will highlight the imaging characteristics of the most common causative organisms.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals