Use of Chest X-Ray Examination as a Diagnostic Aid for Detection of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever

Abstract

The advantage of a chest X-ray in the RLD position in 15 children with DHF hospitalized at the paediatric ward of the Ternate General Hospital within the period of May-June-July 1990 and June-July 1991 were evaluated. Besides clinical and laboratory assessment to establish the diagnosis of DHF according to the WHO guidelines (1975), child and a haemaglutination-inhibition test was also done to confirm the diagnosis.
 Chest X-rays in the RLD position found a pleural effusion in 11 out of 15 patients with DHF especially in those with dengue shock syndrome. A positive serological test was always associated with the presence of PE (100%), while this could be shown in only 2 patients with negative test results. It may be concluded that the WHO criteria for the clinical diagnosis of DHF may be confirmed not only by the serological test but also by the presence of PE on chest film in the RLD position and therefore this examination may play an important role in establishing a diagnosis of DHF in a regency hospital.