title: Chest imaging findings in children with influenza A H1N1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess imaging findings at presentation in children diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at The Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China between September 2009 and March 2010. Nasopharyngeal swabs and bronchial aspirate samples from 81 children with acute respiratory infections were tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Chest imaging for these patients was analyzed retrospectively by 2 independent radiologists for the presence and distribution of abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chest radiograph findings consisted of bilateral patchy areas of consolidation (n=48), diffuse areas of air-space consolidation (n=18), and lobar consolidation (n=7). Eight chest x-rays were normal. Abnormalities were observed more frequently in the lower lobes (bilateral [n=66], unilateral [n=7]). Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed in 18 cases with air-space consolidation and interstitial opacities. Cases with diffuse areas of air-space consolidation were followed-up after 3 months by high resolution CT imaging, which showed interstitial thickening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The predominant imaging findings in childhood influenza A (H1N1) were bilateral patchy areas of consolidation, followed by diffuse areas of air-space consolidation, normal radiographs, and lobar consolidation.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, The Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wan-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Yassir M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Eltahir
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yun-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Xue-Lan
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed