X-RAY FEATURES OF PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT I N CHILDREN WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY-DISEASES

Analysing the X-ray picture of childhood pneumonias from 8 X-ray param eters chosen by the authors has ascertained that bacterial pneumonias are most characterized by 2 X-ray signs: total segmentation and homoge nicity of the lesion, whereas viral pneumonias by 4-5 or more out of t he 8 chosen signs, among which there is partial segmentation and unhom ogeneity of the lesion with increased lung outline within the lesion f ocus. This enables at least 96% probability to differentiate viral and bacterial pneumonias. The differences between pneumonic changes in vi ral respiratory infections are not so well-defined. But at the same ti me the X-ray pattern of RS infection most commonly includes an obstruc tive component (most infrequently in influenza and parainfluenza), par tial segmentation and a limited area of infiltration (only 1-2 segment s are involved). Adenoviral infections are most frequently characteriz ed by increased lung outline beyond the pneumonic focus, indicating co ncomitant bronchitis beyond the pneumonic area, as well as by the atel ectasis and extensive infiltration (involving 3-5 segments). Thus, the X-ray technique enables etiological rapid diagnosis during the first three days of the onset of the disease, providing timely initiation of etiothropic therapy.