Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia: Radiographic and high-resolution CT features in 28 patients

OBJECTIVE. The aim of the study was to compare the radiographic and the hig h-resolution CT findings of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The chest radiographs and 1.5-mm collimation CT scan s obtained in 28 patients with serologically proven M. pneumoniae pneumonia were retrospectively reviewed. The radiographs and CT scans were analyzed independently by two observers. RESULTS. The most common finding on radiography was the presence of air-spa ce opacification (n = 24), which was patchy and segmental (n = 9) or nonseg mental (n = 15) in distribution. On high-resolution CT, areas of ground-gla ss attenuation were seen in 24 patients (86%) and air-space consolidation i n 22 (79%). In 13 patients (59%), the areas of consolidation had a lobular distribution evident on CT, Nodules were seen more commonly on high-resolut ion CT (25 of 28 patients, 89%) than on radiography (14 patients, 50%) (p < 0.01, chi-square test). In 24 (86%) of the 28 patients, the nodules had a predominantly centrilobular distribution on CT, Thickening of the bronchova scular bundles was identified more commonly on CT (23 of 28 patients, 82%) than on radiography (five patients, 18%) (p < 0.01, chi-square test). CONCLUSION. The lobular distribution, centrilobular involvement, and inters titial abnormalities in M. pneumoniae pneumonia are often difficult to reco gnize on radiography but can usually be seen on high-resolution CT.