Influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia

Case contributed by Gustavo Aguiar
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Cough and dyspnea with a severe course resulting in respiratory failure and death.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Peripheral alveolar opacities in both lungs and area of consolidation in the left upper lobe

Peripheral and peribroncovascular areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacities predominantly in the upper lobes of both lungs.

Case Discussion

The most common HRCT findings of H1N1 pneumonia are ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and a combination of non-specific ground-glass opacities and consolidations, usually bilateral and multifocal. In this case, the diagnostic confirmation of H1N1 infection was performed by laboratory testing (real-time PCR) of nasopharyngeal material. 

Note the similarity of the radiographic appearances to COVID-19, a key differential for a case of influenza pneumonia.

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