Imaging of Chest Infections in Children

Choy, Garry; Yager, Phoebe H.; Noviski, Natan; Westra, Sjirk J.

â– Imaging studies have limited value in the differentiation between viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (moderate evidence). â– CT provides more information than plain radiographs for complicated pulmonary infections with empyema, pleural effusion, or bronchopleural fistula (moderate evidence). â– In immunocompromised patients, CT has been shown to characterize the type of infection better than plain radiographs (moderate evidence). â– Ultrasound has an advantage over CT in the identification and characterization of complicated effusions (moderate evidence). â– Early detection and therefore intervention for pleural complications of pneumonia are critical and can result in better outcomes (moderate evidence). â– Early surgery (VATS) is more cost-effective than thoracotomy (without or with image guidance) in the treatment of empyemas in children (strong evidence).