RadioGraphics
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow CME Test (opens in a new window)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by John, S. D.
Right arrow Articles by Swischuk, L. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by John, S. D.
Right arrow Articles by Swischuk, L. E.
Related Collections
Right arrow Chest Radiology
Right arrow Pediatric Radiology
(Radiographics. 2001;21:121-131.)
© RSNA, 2001

EDUCATION EXHIBIT

Spectrum of Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Pediatric Mycoplasma Pneumonia1

Susan D. John, MD, Janaki Ramanathan, MD and Leonard E. Swischuk, MD

1 From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas–Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin–MSB2.100, Houston, TX 77030 (S.D.J.); and the Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (J.R., L.E.S.). Recipient of a Certificate of Merit for a scientific exhibit at the 1999 RSNA scientific assembly. Received March 27, 2000; revision requested April 25 and received June 9; accepted June 9. Address correspondence to S.D.J. (e-mail: susan.d.john@uth.tmc.edu).

Clinical symptoms in mycoplasma infection are nonspecific. Pulmonary involvement may be widespread or focal and segmental and is accompanied by signs including rales, rhonchi, and decreased breath sounds. Although manifestations of mycoplasma infection are usually confined to the respiratory tract, a wide variety of extrarespiratory manifestations can also occur, including more severe associated diseases such as myocarditis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and cerebral arteriovenous occlusion. The radiographic findings in mycoplasma pneumonia are also nonspecific and in some cases closely resemble those seen in children with viral infections of the lower respiratory tract. Focal reticulonodular opacification confined to a single lobe is a radiographic pattern that seems to be more closely associated with mycoplasma infection than with other types of pediatric respiratory illnesses, and the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia should be considered whenever focal or bilateral reticulonodular opacification is seen. Hazy or ground-glass consolidations frequently occur, but dense homogeneous consolidations like those seen with bacterial pneumonias are uncommon. Atelectasis or transient pseudoconsolidations due to confluent interstitial shadows are often seen. Radiographic findings alone are not sufficient for the definitive diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia, but in combination with clinical findings they can significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis in this disease.

Index Terms: Lung, infection, 60.2061 • Pneumonia, 60.2061 • Radiography, in infants and children, 60.11






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
RADIOGRAPHICS RADIOLOGY RSNA JOURNALS ONLINE
Copyright © 2001 by the Radiological Society of North America.