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

Authors

  • Cristina AP Fontes Department of Radiology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
  • Alair Augusto SMD dos Santos Department of Radiology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
  • Solange A de Oliveira Department of Clinical Medicine – Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, UFF, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.11665

Keywords:

Influenza A (H1N1), HRCT, end expiration HRCT, pneumonia, air trapping

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.

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Published

2020-03-31

How to Cite

1.
Fontes CA, dos Santos AAS, de Oliveira SA (2020) High-resolution computed tomography enhances the diagnosis and follow-up of influenza A (H1N1) virus-associated pneumonia. J Infect Dev Ctries 14:317–320. doi: 10.3855/jidc.11665

Issue

Section

Brief Original Articles