Pneumonia- General considerations
Clinical:
The vast majority of infiltrates will become radiographically apparent within a period of about 12 hours. Patients with nosocomial infections may have radiographs performed within hours of the onset of symptoms and findings may not yet be radiographically apparent. Immunocompromised patients can have pulmonary infections without visible radiographic abnormality. Pneumonias that develop in a hospital environment are associated with a higher mortality (20-50%).Most pnumonias resolve in a 2 to 4 week period. Complete resolution can require up to 8-12 weeks in patients with underlying lung disease, immunocompromised patients, and in the elderly.
REFERENCES:
(1) Society of Thoracic Radiology Annual Meeting 2000 Course Syllabus;
Herold CJ. Community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia: The role of radiology
revisted. 77-80
