Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children: Clinical and radiological evaluation and long-term results

Abstract

Background and objectiveThis study aims to evaluate clinical and radiological findings and treatment outcomes of the patients with PIBO. MethodsOne hundred fourteen children were enrolled. Initial demographic and clinical findings were evaluated. Pre- and post-treatment clinical and radiological findings were compared. ResultsThe median age of the patients at initial pulmonary injury was 7,2 months, the median age at diagnosis was 17.5 months. Persistent wheezing was the most common complaint. Thirty-five patients had mechanical ventilation history. 82,5% of patients had clinical improvement. Bronchiectasis, atelectasis, hyperinflation and air trapping in HRCT improved significantly with treatment. Post-treatment Bhalla scores decreased from 8.3 to 6.5 (p= 0,001). Improvement was observed in radiological and clinical findings after treatment. ConclusionsThis study is one of the largest studies in the literature and one of the few studies that evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with PIBO.