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The chest radiograph in legionnaires' disease
Radiology
|June 1, 1978
Summary
Chest X-rays in Legionnaires' disease often show unilateral lung involvement and various opacities. Radiologists should consider this diagnosis with compatible symptoms and unclear pneumonia causes.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Chest radiography is a key diagnostic tool for pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the radiographic findings in patients with confirmed Legionnaires' disease.
- To aid radiologists in identifying potential cases of Legionnaires' disease on chest X-rays.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of chest radiographs from 24 patients with documented Legionnaires' disease.
- Analysis of initial and peak radiographic findings, including lesion type, distribution, and presence of pleural effusion.
Main Results:
- Positive findings on initial radiographs in 22 out of 24 patients.
- Unilateral involvement observed in 68% of cases.
- Common findings included poorly marginated round opacities (46%), diffuse patchy (25%), and peripheral opacities (21%).
- Lobar consolidation was present in 70% at peak illness.
- Pleural effusions occurred in 39%, often associated with other comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- Radiographic findings in Legionnaires' disease are diverse and not entirely specific.
- Consider Legionnaires' disease in patients with compatible clinical history, pneumonia of unknown origin, and characteristic radiographic patterns.