Lung Ultrasound Findings in Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia: A Prospective Multicenter Pilot Study

Mariantonietta Francavilla ¹, Azzurra Orlandi ², Anna Camporesi ³

⁰Department of Radiology, Giovanni XXIII Children Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico, 70126 Bari, Italy.

Children (basel, Switzerland) +

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December 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Lung ultrasound (LUS) effectively identifies features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children. This non-invasive imaging can guide personalized treatment for pediatric lower respiratory tract infections.

Area Of Science

Pediatric Pulmonology
Medical Imaging
Infectious Diseases

Background

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children.
Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective management and to prevent complications.
Lung ultrasound (LUS) offers a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging modality for pediatric respiratory conditions.

Purpose Of The Study

To characterize the lung ultrasound (LUS) features of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients.
To determine the distribution of these LUS findings across different age groups.
To correlate LUS findings with clinical and laboratory data for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods

A multicenter, prospective pilot study involving 35 pediatric patients diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
Standardized LUS examinations were performed at admission, recording features like consolidation, bronchograms, B lines, and pleural effusion.
A composite LUS score was calculated based on various imaging parameters.

Main Results

Subpleural consolidations were observed in 97% of patients, predominantly in basal, posterior, and lateral lung fields.
Multiple consolidations were present in 65% of cases; B lines in 43%, and pleural effusion in 37%.
Patient age correlated with consolidation size, while higher lymphocyte counts were associated with smaller consolidations.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound (LUS) demonstrates characteristic findings suggestive of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.
LUS is a valuable, low-cost tool for managing pediatric lower respiratory tract infections, aiding personalized treatment strategies.
Further comparative studies are needed to validate LUS patterns for pathogen specificity and outcome prediction.

Keywords:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae children lung pneumonia ultrasound