NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA

Nosocomial pneumonia continues to be a major problem affecting hospita lized patients and is extremely difficult to diagnose clinically and r adiologically. Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus are th e most common causative organisms. Bronchoscopy with protected specime n brush cultures and bronchoalveolar lavage are the most commonly used invasive diagnostic methods. Imaging modalities such as chest radiogr aphy, CT scans, and nuclear medicine studies lack specificity in diagn osing nosocomial pneumonia.