Abstract:

Objective To investigate the imaging and clinical features of patients with severe influenza A (H1N1). Methods Thirteen patients suffering from severe influenza A (H1N1) were admitted to Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from December 2009 to February 2010, among whom 10 were males and the other 3 were females, with the median age of 50 years (24 to 59 years). The clinical features, laboratory findings, imaging features, treatment and outcomes of these patients were retrospectively analysed. Results The most common symptoms were fever and cough. The laboratory findings were decrease of the numbers of white blood cells, especially lymphocytes, and increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. The major findings of chest radiograph and CT were bilateral ground-glass opacities and areas of consolidation. After anti-virus, corticosteroids, antibiotics and supporting therapy, the symptoms of 11 patients relieved, 1 patient had fungal infection and 1 patient died. Conclusion The major imaging findings of patients with severe influenza A are bilateral mixed interstitial or alveolar infiltrating shadows. The disease progresses quickly and may lead to death, while early diagnosis and early treatment may achieve better therapeutic effects.

Key words: severe influenza A (H1N1), clinical feature, imaging feature