Radiological aspects in the diagnosis of pneumonia: A literature review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v12i13.44102

Keywords:

Pneumonia; Viral pneumonia; Bacterial pneumonia.

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is an infection that settles in the lungs, which can affect the pulmonary alveoli where the terminal branches of the bronchi and interstices flow. They are caused by the penetration of an infectious agent such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and by allergic reactions in the alveolar space, where gas exchange occurs. Objective: To identify radiological findings that could be associated with pneumonia. Materials and Methods: This is an integrative review of the literature on the new evidence that justifies the radiological findings of pneumonia. In addition, information was cross-referenced in the National Library of Medicine, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library databases. Results and Discussion: Accurate diagnosis of pneumonia is important to ensure effective treatment, as the clinical symptoms of pneumonia may resemble other respiratory conditions, however the combination of anamnesis, physical examination, and imaging tests is essential. Typical radiological features include pulmonary consolidations for common pneumonia and ground-glass opacities for atypical pneumonia, as well as pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates common in both cases. Conclusion: Imaging tests, such as chest X-ray and computed tomography, are essential for detecting and monitoring treatment, and the choice between them depends on the severity of the disease. The integration of clinical and radiological information is essential for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic approach in pneumonia. Ultimately, radiological aspects play a crucial role in the diagnostic process of pneumonia.

References

Andrade, D. C., & Nascimento-Carvalho, C. M. (2018). Radiologic scales as a tool for the etiologic diagnosis of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia. Jornal de Pediatria, 94(6), 690–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2018.06.004

Ceccato, A., Mendez, R., Ewig, S., de la Torre, M. C., Cilloniz, C., Gabarrus, A., Prina, E., Ranzani, O. T., Ferrer, M., Almirall, J., Menendez, R., & Torres, A. (2021). Validation of a prediction score for drug-resistant microorganisms in community-acquired pneumonia. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 18(2), 257–265. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202005-558OC

Cho, Y. J., Han, M. S., Kim, W. S., Choi, E. H., Choi, Y. H., Yun, K. W., Lee, S., Cheon, J.-E., Kim, I.-O., & Lee, H. J. (2019). Correlation between chest radiographic findings and clinical features in hospitalized children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. PloS One, 14(8), e0219463. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219463

Corrêa, R. de A., Lundgren, F. L. C., Pereira-Silva, J. L., Silva, R. L. F. e., Cardoso, A. P., Lemos, A. C. M., Rossi, F., Michel, G., Ribeiro, L., Cavalcanti, M. A. de N., Figueiredo, M. R. F. de, Holanda, M. A., Valery, M. I. B. de A., Aidê, M. A., Chatkin, M. N., Messeder, O., Teixeira, P. J. Z., Martins, R. L. de M., & Rocha, R. T. da. (2009). Diretrizes brasileiras para pneumonia adquirida na comunidade em adultos imunocompetentes - 2009. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia: Publicacao Oficial Da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia, 35(6), 574–601. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-37132009000600011

Eshwara, V., Mukhopadhyay, C., & Rello, J. (2020). Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults: An update. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 151(4), 287. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1678_19

Farias, L. de P. G. de, Fonseca, E. K. U. N., Strabelli, D. G., Loureiro, B. M. C., Neves, Y. C. S., Rodrigues, T. P., Chate, R. C., Nomura, C. H., Sawamura, M. V. Y., & Cerri, G. G. (2020). Imaging findings in COVID-19 pneumonia. Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 75(e2027), e2027. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2020/e2027

File, T. M., Jr, & Ramirez, J. A. (2023). Community-acquired pneumonia. The New England Journal of Medicine, 389(7), 632–641. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp2303286

Fortuna, F. P., Perin, C., Bortoli, J. D. E., Geyer, G. R., Porto, N. D. A. S., & Rubin, A. S. (2002). O espectro clínico e radiológico da pneumonia em organização: análise retrospectiva de 38 casos. Jornal de Pneumologia, 28(6), 317–323. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-35862002000600004

Güneyli, S., Atçeken, Z., Doğan, H., Altınmakas, E., & Atasoy, K. Ç. (2020). Radiological approach to COVID-19 pneumonia with an emphasis on chest CT. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey), 26(4), 323–332. https://doi.org/10.5152/dir.2020.20260

Herold, C. J., & Sailer, J. G. (2004). Community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. European Radiology, 14 Suppl 3(3), E2-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2162-7

Idigo, A. J., Wells, J. M., Brown, M. L., Wiener, H. W., Griffin, R. L., Cutter, G., Shrestha, S., & Lee, R. A. (2022). Clinical risk factors for admission with Pseudomonas and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas community-acquired pneumonia. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 11(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-022-01137-4

Ketai, L., Febbo, J., Busby, H. K., & Sheehan, E. B. (2022). Community-acquired pneumonia: Postpandemic, not post-COVID-19. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 43(06), 924–935. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1755186

Komiya, K., Yoshikawa, H., Goto, A., Yamamoto, T., Yamasue, M., Johkoh, T., Hiramatsu, K., & Kadota, J.-I. (2022). Radiological patterns and prognosis in elderly patients with acute Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia: A retrospective study. Medicine, 101(32), e29734. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000029734

MacDonald, L., Cox, A., Jarvi, K., Martin, P., French, C., Wang, Y., Braga, L. H., & Leveridge, M. (2020). Navigating urology’s new normal and mitigating the effects of a second wave of COVID-19. Journal de l’Association Des Urologues Du Canada [Canadian Urological Association Journal], 14(11), E543–E548. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6976

Metlay, J. P., & Fine, M. J. (2003). Testing strategies in the initial management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Annals of Internal Medicine, 138(2), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-138-2-200301210-00012

Nambu, A., Ozawa, K., Kobayashi, N., & Tago, M. (2014). Imaging of community-acquired pneumonia: Roles of imaging examinations, imaging diagnosis of specific pathogens and discrimination from noninfectious diseases. World Journal of Radiology, 6(10), 779–793. https://doi.org/10.4329/wjr.v6.i10.779

Rodman Berlot, J., Dolenc, Š., Krivec, U., & Keše, D. (2023). Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features can help predict Mycoplasma pneumoniae lower respiratory tract infection in children. Microorganisms, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051358

Sharma, P., Bhandari, R., Poudel, P., Pandey, G., & Paudyal, R. (2023). Clinical profile, radiological findings, and risk factors associated with pneumonia among children admitted in Dhulikhel Hospital. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 21(1), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v21i1.4558

Shi, H., Han, X., Jiang, N., Cao, Y., Alwalid, O., Gu, J., Fan, Y., & Zheng, C. (2020). Radiological findings from 81 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 20(4), 425–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30086-4

Siddaway, A. P., Wood, A. M., & Hedges, L. V. (2019). How to Do a Systematic Review: A Best Practice Guide for Conducting and Reporting Narrative Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and Meta-Syntheses. Annual review of psychology, 70, 747–770. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-102803

Teixeira e Silva Torres, P. P., Fouad Rabahi, M., do Carmo Moreira, M. A., Luiz Escuissato, D., de Souza Portes Meirelles, G., & Marchiori, E. (2021). Importance of chest HRCT in the diagnostic evaluation of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia: Publicacao Oficial Da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia, e20200096. https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20200096

Wahlgren, H., Mortensson, W., Eriksson, M., Finkel, Y., Forsgren, M., & Leinonen, M. (2005). Radiological findings in children with acute pneumonia: age more important than infectious agent. Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden: 1987), 46(4), 431–436. https://doi.org/10.1080/02841850510021238

Published

25/11/2023

How to Cite

NOVAIS, A. O. .; SILVA, I. C. de P. .; FELIX, C. F. .; SOUZA, C. X. de .; REQUEIJO, M. J. R. . Radiological aspects in the diagnosis of pneumonia: A literature review . Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 13, p. e12121344102, 2023. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v12i13.44102. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/44102. Acesso em: 22 nov. 2024.

Issue

Section

Review Article