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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a paediatric cluster in Singapore
Ian Y Tsou1, Lik Eng Loh, Gregory J Kaw
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308433 Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Insights
Chest X-rays of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) showed common ill-defined air-space shadowing. These findings resolved quickly, indicating a milder disease presentation in pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiographic Imaging
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a significant infectious disease pandemic.
- Chest radiographic findings are a key diagnostic criterion for SARS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the radiographic manifestations of SARS in a group of affected children.
- To contribute to the understanding of pediatric SARS presentation.
Main Methods:
- Review of chest radiographs from four related children diagnosed with SARS.
- Analysis for specific radiographic features including air-space shadowing and interstitial disease.
Main Results:
- All children presented with ill-defined air-space shadowing, unifocal or multifocal in distribution.
- No other significant radiographic findings were observed, and no cases progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome.
- Radiographic abnormalities showed significant resolution within 4-6 days.
Conclusions:
- Early identification of these radiographic features is crucial for infection control.
- Pediatric SARS cases appear to represent a less severe clinical manifestation compared to adults.
Background:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a major infectious disease pandemic that occurred in early 2003, and one of the diagnostic criteria is the presence of chest radiographic findings.
Objective:
To describe the radiographic features of SARS in a cluster of affected children.
Materials And Methods:
The chest radiographs of four related children ranging in age from 18 months to 9 years diagnosed as having SARS were reviewed for the presence of air-space shadowing, air bronchograms, peribronchial thickening, interstitial disease, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, hilar lymphadenopathy and mediastinal widening.
Results:
Ill-defined air-space shadowing was the common finding in all the children. The distribution was unifocal or multifocal. No other findings were seen on the radiographs. None of the children developed radiographic findings consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome. All four children showed significant resolution of the radiographic findings 4-6 days after the initial radiograph.
Conclusions:
Early recognition of these features is important in implementing isolation and containment measures to prevent the spread of infection. SARS in children appears to manifest as a milder form of the disease as compared to adults.
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Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause: