In bronchopneumonia, there are centrilobular nodules that coalesce to cause consolidation, and involve one or more lobes. Lobar consolidation is characterised by confluent areas of consolidation, which are usually confined to one segment or lobe. Pneumonia was classically divided according to its morphological pattern on imaging into the following: lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia. Recently, data has been published regarding the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a radiation-free technique for diagnosing pulmonary infections. The main role of chest ultrasonography in pneumonia is to assess pleural effusion or empyema and serve as a guide for aspiration/drainage. It is not used for the initial evaluation of pneumonia but may be used when the response to treatment is unusually slow, to look for complications, to detect underlying disease within the lung, and also to characterise any complex pneumonias. CT may detect abnormalities that are not appreciable on chest radiograph. It can also diagnose complications like pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and abscess formation. A chest radiograph can establish the presence of pneumonia, determine its extent and location, and assess the response to treatment. Ĭhest radiographs are the most widely used imaging modality followed by cross-sectional imaging methods like computed tomography (CT).
However, the term ‘pneumonia’ usually refers to infection by a pathogenic organism, which results in consolidation of the lung, whereas the term pneumonitis is generally used in the context of non-infective inflammation that primarily involves the alveolar wall. Pneumonitis and pneumonia are terms that refer to a similar pathology and can be used interchangeably. Pneumonia is defined as an infection of the lower respiratory tract, which involves the lung parenchyma. This knowledge along with clinical history and laboratory investigations of the patient may help in guiding the treatment of pneumonia. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the various pulmonary imaging manifestations of pathogenic organisms. Knowledge of whether pneumonia is community-acquired or nosocomial, as well as the age and immune status of the patient, can help us in narrowing the differential diagnoses. Although not diagnostic, certain imaging findings may suggest a particular microbial cause over others. It helps to identify complications, detect any underlying chronic pulmonary disease, and also to characterise complex pneumonias. Computed tomography is not used for the initial evaluation of pneumonia, but it may be used when the response to treatment is unusually slow. It can establish the presence of pneumonia, determine its extent and location, and assess the response to treatment. Chest radiography is generally the first imaging modality used for the evaluation of pneumonia.
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