Mycoplasma pneumonia: clinical and radiographic features in 39 children.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the clinical and chest radiographic features of pediatric patients with serologically proven Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (mycoplasma pneumonia).


METHODS
The clinical records and chest radiographs of 39 consecutive patients (19 male, 20 female; age 3-13 years) with serologically positive IgG and IgM mycoplasma pneumonia were reviewed.


RESULTS
More than 90% of patients presented with fever and cough and 48% of patients had leukocyte count >10,000/mm(3). A C-reactive protein (CRP) level >0.375 mg/dL was noted in 28 patients (72%). Chest radiographs displayed four different patterns: (i) peribronchial and perivascular interstitial infiltrates (n= 19, 49%); (ii) airspace consolidations (n= 15, 38%); (iii) reticulonodular opacification (n= 3, 8%); and (iv) nodular or mass-like opacification (n= 2, 5%). Bilateral peribronchial perivascular interstitial infiltrations in central and middle lung zones were frequently seen (n= 19, 49%). Other radiological features were bilateral lesions in 51% of patients, pleural effusion in 23%, and hilar lymphadenopathy in 13%. Means of duration for treatment response and hospitalization were 2.5 and 5 days, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
There are various radiological features of mycoplasma pneumonia in children. Bilateral peribronchial and perivascular interstitial infiltrates were most frequently seen in the present patients.
Hsieh
Shu-Chiang
SC
Department of Radiology, Taipei Medical University--Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kuo
Yung-Ting
YT
Chern
Ming-Sheng
MS
Chen
Chia-Yuen
CY
Chan
Wing P
WP
Yu
Chun
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000032:analysis; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D002097:C-Reactive Protein