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Bacteremic necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia in children
E Kerem1, Y Bar Ziv, B Rudenski
1Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Necrotizing pneumonia in children, a severe lung tissue complication, can be diagnosed early with CT scans. Prompt treatment leads to full recovery, unlike in adults.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Necrotizing pneumonia is a severe complication of lobar pneumonia, often fatal in adults.
- Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia can lead to significant lung tissue necrosis.
Observation:
- Four pediatric patients presented with severe bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia, exhibiting arterial desaturation, anemia, and thrombocytosis.
- Chest CT scans revealed early signs of segmental or lobar pulmonary liquefaction, indicative of necrotizing pneumonia.
- Pleural effusion requiring drainage was observed in two patients.
Findings:
- Early CT findings of pulmonary liquefaction accurately diagnosed necrotizing pneumonia in children.
- All pediatric patients developed cavitating lesions following initial diagnosis.
- Complete recovery was achieved in all cases with antipneumococcal therapy and/or chest tube drainage.
Implications:
- Necrotizing pneumonia in children, while serious, has a favorable prognosis with complete recovery anticipated.
- Early CT imaging is crucial for diagnosing necrotizing pneumonia in pediatric cases.
- Unlike adults, invasive investigations may not be necessary for pediatric bacteremic necrotizing pneumococcal pneumonia.