title: [Rational radiological diagnostics of pneumonia].
abstract: As one of the most common infectious diseases pneumonia is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. A rapid and rational diagnostic work-up is crucial to improve patient prognosis and outcome. The diagnosis of pneumonia requires the detection of pulmonary infiltrates; therefore, radiological methods are a key part of the diagnostic algorithm to demonstrate the presence of infiltrates and to confirm the diagnosis. The accepted standard method is chest X-ray at two levels, posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs. Computed tomography is mainly used for immunocompromised patients, patients with pre-existing structural lung disease, therapy refractory pneumonia and in the differential diagnosis of suspected underlying diseases, such as pulmonary embolism or malignancy. Increasing evidence suggests that lung ultrasound is a promising, precise technology which is readily available and with no irradiation of patient.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik V, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 München, Deutschland. werner.von.wulffen@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: von Wulffen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*