Round pneumonia

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 4 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Rounded opacification adjacent to the right hilum.  Air bronchograms traverse the lesion.  Features are typical of a round pneumonia.

This child presented to A&E 3 months later with chest symptoms and a repeat radiograph was performed.

Follow up CXR at 3 months

x-ray

The lungs are clear - resolution of the previously demonstrated consolidation.

Case Discussion

Round pneumonia is a recognized presentation of pneumonia in children.  There are a number of theories about why round pneumonia occurs which relate to the developing lung and lateral air-drift.

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