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Chest imaging findings in children with influenza A H1N1
Wan-Liang Guo1, Jian Wang, Min Zhou
1Radiology Department, The Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Insights
Pediatric influenza A (H1N1) infection commonly presents with bilateral patchy consolidation on chest X-rays. Some children show diffuse air-space consolidation, with interstitial thickening noted on follow-up CT scans.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Influenza A (H1N1) virus caused a global pandemic in 2009.
- Understanding the imaging manifestations of H1N1 in children is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the characteristic imaging findings in children diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational cohort study of 81 children with confirmed influenza A (H1N1).
- Analysis of chest radiographs and CT scans by two independent radiologists.
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) used for H1N1 diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Bilateral patchy consolidation was the most frequent finding on chest radiographs (n=48).
- Diffuse air-space consolidation (n=18) and lobar consolidation (n=7) were also observed.
- CT scans revealed interstitial opacities, with follow-up CT showing interstitial thickening in cases of diffuse consolidation.
Conclusions:
- The primary imaging finding in pediatric influenza A (H1N1) is bilateral patchy consolidation.
- Diffuse air-space consolidation and normal radiographs are also noted.
- Imaging findings aid in the diagnosis and understanding of H1N1 pneumonia in children.
Objective:
To assess imaging findings at presentation in children diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection.
Methods:
This is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at The Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China between September 2009 and March 2010. Nasopharyngeal swabs and bronchial aspirate samples from 81 children with acute respiratory infections were tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Chest imaging for these patients was analyzed retrospectively by 2 independent radiologists for the presence and distribution of abnormalities.
Results:
Chest radiograph findings consisted of bilateral patchy areas of consolidation (n=48), diffuse areas of air-space consolidation (n=18), and lobar consolidation (n=7). Eight chest x-rays were normal. Abnormalities were observed more frequently in the lower lobes (bilateral [n=66], unilateral [n=7]). Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed in 18 cases with air-space consolidation and interstitial opacities. Cases with diffuse areas of air-space consolidation were followed-up after 3 months by high resolution CT imaging, which showed interstitial thickening.
Conclusion:
The predominant imaging findings in childhood influenza A (H1N1) were bilateral patchy areas of consolidation, followed by diffuse areas of air-space consolidation, normal radiographs, and lobar consolidation.
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