The changes of chest imaging and clinical features in patients with severe infection of new influenza A (H1N1)

Abstract

To study the clinical features and the pulmonary imaging changes of severe cases of new influenza A (H1N1). This study included 10 severe cases with new influenza A (H1N1) infection in the Forth People's Hospital of Taiyuan from 20 Oct. 2009 to 22 Nov 2009.Six patients were males and 4 were females, with an average age of 19.3 years (range 5 - 41 years). The laboratory study included blood routine, blood gas analysis, liver and renal function tests, myocardium enzymology, chest radiograph and CT. The prominent clinical features included fever, cough and dyspnea. The pulmonary imaging changes were varied, including ground-glass opacity, consolidation, atelectasis, fluid pneumothorax and pleural effusion, and manifestations of acute pneumonia and interstitial pneumonia simultaneously. Extensive pulmonary infiltration developed quickly, and acute lung injury (ALI) occurred in 5 patients and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in 3 cases. Oseltamivir, oxygen therapy and antibiotic therapy were effective for improvement of the disease and final recovery of all these patients. The severe cases of new influenza A (H1N1) infection has imaging manifestations of acute pneumonia and interstitial pneumonia. The disease progresses quickly and may lead to ALI/ARDS.