Spectrum of Findings in Pulmonary Infections on Ct / HRCT Scan of the Chest

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the spectrum of findings that can be seen on CT scan in pulmonary infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 100 patients with pulmonary infections who had undergone CT/HRCT scans of the chest in our Department or Radiology at Terna Sahyadri Speciality Hospital & Research Centre affiliated to Terna Medical College in Navi Mumbai was done to analyze the various findings. The CT findings were grouped and tabulated to assess the predominance of various findings on CT scan. RESULTS: Out of the 100 patients analysed, consolidation and lymph nodal involvement were the dominant findings. There were overlap of findings in some of the patients. Lymph nodal involvement was noted in all the cases with majority having mediastinal nodal involvement rather than hilar, which is not seen clearly on a plain X-ray chest. The other CT findings were nodules, pleural fluid, post infective sequalae, ground glassing, bronchiectasis and cavities. CONCLUSIONS: The role of imaging in pulmonary infection is to determine the presence of, localization of, and extent of infection, to detect predisposing factors, to detect complications and in follow up of the infection. Radiological signs on plain X-ray of chest are often not very typical and have a limited role in predicting the cause and infecting organisms. Computed tomography(CT) scan with post contrast study whenever required and high resolution computed tomography(HRCT) are the best available modalities to assess the lung parenchyma, interstitium, mediastinum and pleura.