Comparison of Tomographic Findings in Patients with Influenza A (H1N1) and COVID-19

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify CT-based predictors of mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients with severe and critical viral pneumonia and to examine the association between imaging severity and outcomes in ventilated patients. Methods: We analyzed pulmonary CT scans from 148 patients with severe or critical pneumonia caused by COVID-19 (n = 98) or influenza A H1N1 (n = 50). Patients were assessed based on tomographic patterns, demographics, clinical severity scores (Charlson Comorbidity Index, SOFA, and APACHE IV), and biomarkers. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox regression. Results: Bilateral, peripheral, and basal lung involvement was common across both groups. Ground-glass opacities (89.62%, p ≤ 0.001) and consolidation (61.54%, p = 0.001) were more prevalent in COVID-19, whereas pleural effusion was significantly more frequent in H1N1 (76.92%, p ≤ 0.001). COVID-19 cases more often presented with bilateral (96.94%) and peripheral lesions (77.87%). H1N1 patients were more likely to develop severe ARDS and require mechanical ventilation. In COVID-19, higher APACHE IV scores and pulmonary damage severity index were independently associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Radiologic and clinical severity profiles differ between COVID-19 and H1N1 pneumonia. CT-based assessments combined with prognostic scores may aid early risk stratification and guide treatment decisions in patients with severe viral pneumonia.