Radiological follow-up of pediatric pneumonia: principle and practice.
A study was undertaken to evaluate the trends in radiological follow up of childhood pneumonia among consultant pediatricians throughout the United Kingdom. A questionnaire was sent to 120 consultant pediatricians. Among the 88 respondents, 18% would carry out a repeat chest radiograph on follow-up of all their patients admitted with pneumonia, whereas 78% would perform the investigation selectively. Among the criteria for selection, persistence of symptoms and collapse or effusion were cited, although a considerable number would repeat a chest radiograph in children with lobar pneumonia. The mean timing of a repeat chest radiograph was 5.5 weeks after presentation (range 2-12 weeks). Only 23% of the respondents worked in units with written guidelines for the follow-up of children with pneumonia. Written guidelines, specifying the categories of children who would benefit from follow-up chest radiographs, should be present and implemented in all pediatric departments.
Mahmood
Dhia
D
Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, Lancs, UK.
Vartzelis
George
G
McQueen
Paula
P
Perkin
Michael R
MR
D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D010372:Pediatrics; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011859:Radiography; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom