Radiological features of viral infection of lower respiratory tract in infants and children : infection by common virus other than RS virus

There have been report on radiological features of lower respiratory track infection in infants and children caused by RSV(respiratory syncytial virus) in KOREA. The aims of this study were to summarize radiological features of lower respiratory tract infection caused by common viral agents other than RSV and to find any specific radiological features which might provide clue to the etiologic diagnosis. We retrospectively analyzed radiological features in 51 children with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection and identification of viral agents(except RSV). They included parainfluenza (n=22), adenovirus(n=16), influenza A(n=11), influenza 8(n=2) virus infections. The mean age of the patients was 23 months. Major radiological findings of viral lower respiratory tract infection were bilateral parahilar peribronchial infiltration(62%), bilateral overaeration(60%), atelectasis(59%)(segmental or subsegmental atelectasis(43%), lobar atelectasis(16%)) and patchy or confluent consolidation(20%). Pleural effusion was seen in only one case and hilar adenopathy was not observed in any of them. In the cares of adeno virus, consolidation was seen in 5 cases(31%) including 3 cases(19%) of extensive confluent consolidations and overaerations were less frequent findings(44%) than in other viruses. In 24 patients with radiological follow up for more than 1 week, consolidation improved most rapidly, while was persistent atelectasis. The major radiologic features in viral lower respiratory tract infection(except RSV) were overinflation, bilateral peribronchial infiltration and atelectasis. In adenoviral infection, confluent consolidations which are usually seen in bacterial pneumonia were more common findings than in other viral lower respiratory tract infections