The role of C.T. in the diagnosis of unresoIving pneumonia

Abstract

Respiratory tract infection is the most common cause of illness in children and continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Making the diagnosis of pneumonia, and consequently deciding on treatment is a common hut complex :mel cldTicult issue. The symptoms and physical findings of children with pneumonia arc sometimes non­ specific especially in infants and young children.

Our purpose was to investigate the usefullncss of C.T. 111 evaluating children who don't respond appropriately to treatment of pneumonia for more than 2 weeks, when chest radiography is non contributory.

C.T. can reveal the presence ofparenehymal complications (Lung abscess, cavitary necrosis, ncumMocclcs, ....), pleural complications (pleural effusion, pleural thickening,.....) not detected by chest radiography.