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Neonatal herpes simplex pneumonia: radiographic findings
Radiology
|November 1, 1984
Summary
Disseminated herpes simplex virus infection in neonates causes progressive lung disease. Radiologic findings show four stages of pneumonitis, from normal lungs to diffuse "white-out," with all affected infants dying.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a severe neonatal illness.
- Pneumonitis is a common complication of disseminated HSV infection in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the sequential radiologic findings in the lungs of neonates with disseminated HSV infection.
- To correlate radiologic findings with postmortem histopathology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of chest radiographs from 16 hospitalized neonates with disseminated HSV infection.
- Correlation of antemortem clinical and radiological findings with postmortem histopathology.
Main Results:
- Four distinct radiologic stages of pneumonitis were identified: Stage I (normal), Stage II (perihilar interstitial markings), Stage III (coalescent infiltrates), and Stage IV (diffuse alveolar/interstitial disease).
- Pulmonary abnormalities were widespread, typically without air trapping.
- One case showed pleural effusion.
- All affected neonates died, with findings correlating to widespread viral infection.
Conclusions:
- Radiographic staging can characterize the evolution of HSV pneumonitis in neonates.
- Disseminated HSV infection leads to severe, often fatal, pneumonia in neonates.