RADIOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the lungs, which can be caused by different infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Chest X-ray is the most used exam in the diagnosis of pneumonia, being fundamental for the evaluation of the extension and severity of the disease. The objective of this review is to present the main radiological aspects in the diagnosis of pneumonia. The methodology used was a bibliographical review of scientific articles in databases such as PubMed and Scopus, considering publications between 2010 and 2021. Six main topics of results were identified: identification of opaque areas in the lungs, differentiation between viral and bacterial pneumonia, evaluation of extent and severity of pneumonia, identifying atypical findings, monitoring response to treatment, and identifying possible complications. The identification of opaque areas in the lungs is one of the main radiological findings in patients with pneumonia, which may vary in size and distribution according to the causative infectious agent. Differentiation between viral and bacterial pneumonia can be made through some radiological aspects, such as the presence of lobar consolidation, which is more frequent in cases of bacterial pneumonia. The assessment of the extent and severity of pneumonia is essential for choosing the appropriate treatment, and it is possible through chest X-rays to identify whether the disease is restricted to one lobe or whether there is involvement of several lung lobes. Furthermore, the identification of atypical findings can be useful in detecting other pathologies that may be mimicking pneumonia, such as neoplasms or autoimmune diseases. Chest X-rays are also important in monitoring the response to treatment, as it is possible to observe improvement in pulmonary opaque areas after the institution of antimicrobial therapy. Finally, the identification of possible complications associated with pneumonia, such as lung abscesses or pleural effusions, is essential for the clinical evaluation of the patient and for the adoption of appropriate therapeutic measures. In view of the results presented, it is concluded that chest radiography is a fundamental test for the diagnosis of pneumonia, allowing the identification of different radiological aspects that help in choosing the appropriate treatment and in evaluating the therapeutic response.