Tomas C. Franquet MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

1) To understand the role of imaging in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections. 2) To illustrate the spectrum of CT findings of lung infections according to clinical and immune status of the patients. 3) To become familiar with typical patterns of specific pulmonary infections.

Respiratory infections (RI) including community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nosocomial pneumonia (NP) represent a major health care problem because of their high morbidity and mortality rate. The spectrum of causative organisms of CAP includes gram-positive bacteria such as Streptoccocus pneumoniae (the pneumoccocus), Haemophilus influenzae and Staphyloccocus aureus, as well as atypical organisms such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophilia and viral agents such as RSV and influenza. Pulmonary infections may affect both immunocompetent individuals and patients with impaired immune function. Moreover, mildly impaired host immunity as it occurs in chronic debilitating illness, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, alcoholism, advanced age, prolonged corticosteroid administration and COPD have also been regarded as predisposing factors of pulmonary infections. Although accurate clinical information is essential to narrow the differential diagnosis, it is often very difficult to determine the cause of parenchymal abnormalities in this group of patients. Combination of pattern recognition with knowledge of the clinical setting is the best approach to pulmonary infectious processes. A specific pattern of involvement can help suggest a likely diagnosis in many instances. CT can be helpful in the detection, differential diagnosis, and management of patients with pulmonary infection. Thus, a systematic approach to the radiological evaluation of patients with pulmonary infection is essential and includes not only chest imaging pattern recognition, but integration of available demographic, clinical and laboratory information.

Franquet, T, Community and Hospital Acquired Pulmonary Infections.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14001437.html