Imaging Features of Pulmonary Infections

Pulmonary infections are common in hospitals. Radiological imaging is crucial for rapid diagnosis, revealing infection patterns and distinguishing them from non-infectious conditions. This review highlights key radiological features that aid in diagnosing pulmonary infections and identifying causative organisms to guide therapy. Bacterial pneumonias may show lobar, bronchial, or interstitial patterns, characterised by lobar consolidation, bronchial wall thickening, and alveolar septal thickening, respectively. Viral infections typically present a multifocal ground-glass pattern. An airway-centric pattern, with "tree-in-bud" opacification and bronchial wall thickening, may also occur, often coexisting with bacterial infections, which can complicate diagnosis. Fungal infections, particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals, can be suggested by CT imaging features such as the halo, reverse halo, and air-crescent signs. Given the complexities and limitations of timely diagnosing pulmonary infections, accurately interpreting radiological findings is vital. Enhancing our ability to use imaging effectively enables healthcare professionals to make better prescribing decisions, aiming for more targeted therapies and improved patient outcomes.