The peculiarities of acute lung abscess x-ray picture in children
Objective: To specify the prognostic criteria of possible development as well as x-ray sings of acute lung abscess in children and adolescents. Material and Methods: Radiography findings in two projections and tomograms of 28 patients (78.6% boys and 21.4% girls) aged from several months to 17 years (chiefly patients aged 3, 85.7%) were analyzed. All patients underwent dynamic investigation. Results: It was established that development of acute abscess was possible with large areas of inflammatory infiltration (10.7%) and large an intensive shadow in the centre of infiltration. Unilateral abscesses (100%), involvement of the right lung (78.6%) are typical for young patients. In children and adolescents multiple abscesses are rare (7.1%). Perifocal infiltration in all patients was poorly marked. Sequestrations in 14.3% of cases were massive and occupied 2/3 of the cavity. The abscesses measuring 4-6 cm (57.1%) were more typical, those >6 cm were less frequent (28.6%). The most typical shape for this age is oval (57.1%). Thick walls (4 cm and more) were determined in 78.6%. Their internal and external outlines were distinct (78.6 and 64.3%). In half of the patients fluid level reached 1/3 of the cavity. Accompanying exudation pleurisy was determined in 14.3%. Conclusion: The presented findings suggest the possibility to predict acute development of acute lung abscess in children and adolescents based on the data of x-ray investigation. Age-dependent peculiarities of abscess course were established. Their x-ray sings were specified.