PURPOSE: The description of CT findings of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been limited to a few reports. Objective of our study was to evaluate characteristic CT findings in patients with hMPV infection and correlation with clinical findings.
METHOD AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively collected patients proven hMPV pneumonia with positive results of RT-PCR for hMPV via medical record search from January 2010 through December 2011(n=403). We excluded the patients with any other infectious organisms were identified. Among them, chest CT scans within 1 week period of the time of diagnosis were assessed. The CT scans were evaluated for the presence of abnormality and characterized by pattern and regional distribution; ground glass opacity (GGO), airspace consolidations, tree-in-bud opacities, centrilobular nodule, and bronchial wall thickening.
RESULTS: Among 403 patients, 76 patients were included (M:F=42:34, mean 62.4year; range 19~88 year). Most patients (n=72/76, 94.7%) had underlying comorbidities; malignant diseases (n =25), diabetes (n = 15), transplantation recipients (kidney; n = 8, heart; n =3, liver; n =2), chronic obstructive lung diseases (n =5), and other chronic medical diseases (n=14). Predominant CT features were segmental distributed ill-defined centrilobular nodules (57.9%), GGO (68.4%) and consolidation (38.2%). Other findings were tree-in-bud opacities (7.9%) and bronchial wall thickening (7.9%). Four patients without underlying comorbidity showed similar CT findings with comorbidity group (GGO, centrilobular nodules, and consolidation).
CONCLUSION: Most patients with abnormal CT features had underlying medical problems, suggesting immune-compromized host conditions. The most common CT findings of hMPV pneumonia are multifocal distributed ill-defined centrilobular nodules with airspace-filling pattern, GGO and consolidation.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATION: This study assessed characteristic CT findings of hMPV infection. Clinico-radiological correlation is useful for management and prediction of clinical outcome in patients with hMPV pneumonia.
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SS 04 CH-01.pdf
