title: Clinical Application of High-Resolution Computed Tomographic Imaging Features of Community-Acquired Pneumonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article discusses the value of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infections. Lung infection caused by pathogens is an important cause of death. Traditional methods to treat lung infection involved empirical antibiotic therapy. Thin-slice CT scanning is widely used in the clinical setting, and HRCT scan can very clearly show alveolar and bronchiolar involvement of infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 178 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were enrolled. All the patients underwent CT scan, qualified sputum, and blood samples for culture or immunological biochemical tests. CT imaging features, pathogenic bacteria, and treatment results were used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 77 patients with lobar consolidation, the rate of detection was 43.26% (77/178), and in 101 patients with lobular pneumonia it was 56.74% (101/178). In 51 patients, pathogenic bacteria were detected (28.65%, 51/178). Sixteen of 33 patients detected with bacteria had cavities (48.5%, 16/33) and 35 of 145 patients detected with bacteria had no cavities (24.1%, 35/145). The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (χ(2)=7.795, P=0.005). According to the pathogenic bacteria, 38 patients were cured (74.51%, 38/51), and according to the CT imaging features 81 patients were cured (71.05%, 81/114). No statistically significant difference was found between them (χ(2)=0.209, P=0.647).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment effect of CAP based on HRCT findings is not inferior to treatment effect guided by microbial characterization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Yunqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Cuiyun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Eendocrinology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Jingling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xinyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult