The role of radiological imaging in diagnosis and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome

0eVere acute resplratory syndmme (SARS) is a severe contaglous disease. Based 0n the current etioIogical study,SARS·CoV is thought t0 be the cause of SARS.1,。and the dlsease is transmitted mainly by respiratorv droplets within a near distance and c10se contact with apatlent’s secI.etions.The diagnosis of SARS deDends 0nepidemiologieal history, clinical symptoms and signs.1aboratory tests,and imaging findings,aIl 0f which wilIbe discussed in this report for better understanding andc…     

Respiratory support for severe acute respiratory syndrome: integration of efficacy and safety

Severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） is an acute respiratory illness caused by infection with the SARS virus. The most obvious clinical characteristic of SARS is rapidly progressive pneumonia, and about 20% patients need intensive care due to acute lung injury （ALI） and acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）.1-3 In the absence of effective drugs for SARS, supportive care, especially respiratory support techniques （RSTs）, is of primary importance. On the other hand, offering RSTs to SARS patients may carry a high-risk of infection to healthcare workers because of the high infectivity of SARS. Therefore, the strategy of RSTs for SARS should be the integration of efficacy and safety. In this issue of the Chinese Medical Journal, an article from Hong Kong has retrospectively compared both the safety and efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation （NIPPV） with that of invasive mechanical ventilation （IMV） in the treatment of respiratory failure in SARS.     

Misdiagnostic analysis of clinically diagnosed severe acute respiratory syndrome after following up 197 convalescent patients

The severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） is an emerging and highly contagious infection caused by a newly discovered strain of coronavirus. Since the clinical case definition of SARS is similar to other severe atypical pneumonias, specific laboratory tests that can accurately diagnose SARS-associated coronavirus （SARS-CoV） infection are important. However, published data are insufficient to investigate whether clinically diagnosed SARS patients may include some non-SARS pneumonia. Therefore, we aimed to determine clinical and laboratory features to differentiate SARS patients from non-SARS pneumonias that could reduce misdiagnosis of SARS. A retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics after the initial onset of SARS, as well as its convalescent-phase, was examined from clinically diagnosed 197 SARS patients.     

Chest X ray changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome cases after discontinuation of glucocorticosteroids treatment

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease identified in Asia, North America and Europe. The drugs for treatment and prevention of and vaccine for the disease are in research， There is still no agreement on glucocorticosteroid treatment of SARS. In treatment of SARS patients with glucocorticosteroids, we found 5 cases whose chest X ray changes were different from what the literature reported.     

Clinical diagnostic approach to severe acute respiratory syndrome: an institution’s experience

Objective To analyze diagnostic approach to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) according to the diagnostic criteria issued by the Ministry of Health of China (MHC). Methods The clinical data and the diagnostic results of 108 cases of SARS were retrospectively reviewed according to the MHC criteria. Results There were 55 men and 53 women, with a median age of 34.5 years (range, 12-78 years). The interval between their first visit and clinical diagnosis was 3 days (range, 0-14 days). The diagnosis was made at the first visit in 7 (6.5%, 7/108) cases with a history of exposure to SARS patients and infiltrates on chest radiograph. Eighty-nine (82.4%) and 12 (11.1%) patients were categorized as probable cases and suspected cases respectively at their first visit and a clinical diagnosis of SARS was made subsequently. The interval between first visit and reaching the final diagnosis was 1-3 days in 72 (66.7%) cases and 4 days in 29 (26.9%) cases. The final diagnosis was made in 0-14 days (median, 2 days) for those (n=59, 54.6%) with a history of close contact with SARS patients and 2-8 days (median, 3 days) for those (n=49, 45.4%) living in Beijing but without such a history (P=0.03). The chest radiograph was interpreted as unremarkable in 26 (24.1%) cases at their first visit, and the diagnosis was made in 4 days (range 2-8 days), which was significantly longer compared with other cases (P<0.001). In patients without a history of close contact with SARS patients, all the five criteria were met after combination antibiotic therapy had failed. Conclusions A chest radiograph without infiltrates at the early stage of SARS is an important factor responsible for delayed diagnosis. In patients without a history of close contact with SARS cases, antibiotic effect was a major factor influencing doctors’ diagnosis.     

Interpreting serological studies on severe acute respiratory syndrome: defining the reference

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was first identified in November 2002 in China and spread internationally causing more than 910 deaths before being contained in 2003. A novel coronavirus, named SARS coronavirus (SARS CoV) has been identified as the etiologic agent of SARS.     

Respiratory protection and emerging infectious diseases: lessons from severe acute respiratory syndrome

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that emerged 2002 -2003 and apparently again 2004 (reported by the news media on December27, 2003) as the first confirmed case by the World Health Organization (WHO) raised awareness of emerging infectious diseases. Every year there are both new and old infectious diseases emerging as potential pandemic agents.     

Response of memory CD^8＋ T cells to severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） coronavirus in recovered SARS patients and healthy individuals

To date, the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） in humans is still not well understood. SARS coronavirus （SARS-CoV）-specific CTL responses, in particular their magnitude and duration of postinfection immunity, have not been extensively studied. In this study, we found that heat-inactivated SARS-CoV elicited recall CTL responses to newly identified spike protein-derived epitopes （SSp-1,S978, and S1202） in peripheral blood of all HLA-A ＊ 0201^＋ recovered SARS patients over 1 year postinfection. Intriguingly, heat-inactivated SARS-CoV elicited recall-like CTL responses to SSp-1 but not to S978,     

CT and MR imaging of Spongiform leukoencephalopathy after heroin vapor inhalation： analysis of 13 cases

Objective: To study the CT and MR imagirig features of spongiform leukoencephalopathy after heroin vapor inhalation. Methods: The CT and MR imaging features and pathologic findings of 13 patients with heroin-induced spongiform leukoencephalopathy were analyzed. Results: CT scanning and MR] of all the patients showed diffuse,symmetric lesion in the cercbellar and cerebral white matter, and the cerebellum was invariably involved in all cases.Symmetric round Or butterfly-like lesions lateral to the midline of the cerebellum with clear border was the most distinct feature in CT and MRI examination. The lesions were not found in the anterior limbs of the internal capsules. CT scanning showed low-density changes while MRI TIWI imaging presented low-signal and T2WI high-signal lesions without space-occupying mass. The pathologic findings showed spongiform degeneration of the white matter in the central nervous system, but necrotic lesions were not observed. Condusions: Spongiform leukoencephalopathy should be considered when acute, cerebellar signs are present in patients who admitted a history of heroin inhalation. The CT and MRI manifestation of this disease is typical and the diagnosis can thus be made.     

Clinical analysis of 45 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Objective To explore the clinical and radiological features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).Methods Analysis of the clinical presentation, chest radiographs, course of disease and features of severe pneumonia in 45 SARS patients diagnosed at our hospital in Beijing between April 5 -20,2003. Also included is a summation of the clinical features of SARS.Results (1) SARS appears to have high infectivity; (2) the most common symptom is fever; (3)the count of leukocyte is normal or decreased; (4) most patients (35/45, 77.8% ) had experienced a 24-hour fever prior to the abnormal chest X-ray changes which showed progression of pulmonary infiltrates within 48 hours in 71.1% (32/45) of the patients and, (5) the percentage of patients who developed severe pneumonia (24.4%) is higher than those who developed typical pneumonia.Conclusion SARS is a disease with high infectivity and has its own clinical and radiological featuresEarly recognition, prompt isolation, and appropriate therapy are the key to combate this infection.     

Clinical and imaging findings in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS), and to study their relationship.Methods Forty-six SARS confirmed patients were admitted to our hospital from February to April,2003. X-ray examination documents were available in all cases and chest CT scanning was acquired in 6 cases, which were analyzed retrospectively, accompanied by their clinical features.Results Fever was found in 97. 8% of the patients. Clinical symptoms were mild, but X-ray and CT findings were distinct. CT scanning demonstrated ground glass like lesions and large patchy exudation and consolidation at the early stage in 6 cases. Different findings on radiography and CT were related to the different phases of the disease. After treatment, most lesions were absorbed completely, but slowly in patients with multi-lobe consolidation and/or extensive interstitial infiltration.Conclusion Special clinical and imaging findings could be found in SARS cases. The prognosis of SARS patients is related to the degree of lesions detected by radiography and CT.     

严重急性呼吸综合征患者的胸部X线表现

目的：分析和总结严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)患者的胸部X线影像特点，为SARS的临床诊断和治疗积累资料并提供参考依据。方法：回顾分析2003年3月5日至3月30日临床确诊的28例SARS患者床边胸部X线表现，并对各病例急性期和恢复期的X线表现进行了对比分析。结果：在发病的急性期，13例呈单个片状影或小淡片状影及3例呈同侧肺野2个淡片状影表现者，病变均位于肺周边部；6例片状影在肺中心部位(近肺门旁)；6例双侧片状影；4例有两肺广泛片状影。在疾病的恢复期，急性期肺部病变范围小的l9例病灶完全吸收；病变较大的9例，6例可见索条影，另3例病变广泛者死亡。结论：SARS患者的胸部X线表现为多种实变阴影，其中单发小淡片影多位于肺周边部位且容易吸收；双肺及广泛实变影多位于中下肺野且吸收较慢。本研究结果初步提示SARS患者胸部病变范围与其预后有关。     

传染性非典型肺炎的临床X线表现分析--附32例报告

目的：探讨传染性非典型肺炎的临床及X线表现特征，提高对本病的认识。方法：依据广东省传染性非典型肺炎诊断标准，总结经临床及X线诊断的传染性非典型肺炎32例，分析其临床、X线表现特征。结果：32例均有发热，21例干咳，13例有全身酸痛、乏力，4例患以发热，腹痛、腹泻为主要症状；29例血白细胞正常或降低。胸片表现可分为三期：即肺间质性炎变期(25例)，肺实变期(32例)、吸收消散期(转归期)。结论：本病具有一定的临床特点，综合：分析X线表现和实验室检查，可作出传染性非典型肺炎的诊断。     

河南省传染性非典型肺炎患者胸部X线表现

目的 :探讨传染性非典型肺炎的X线表现及变化规律。方法 :对河南省临床诊断的 1 5例患者发病后不同时间的系列胸片和CT进行回顾性分析。结果 :1 5例胸部X线病灶初始形态为斑片状 1 1例 (73.3% ) ,大片状 4例 (2 6 .7% ) ;双侧 9例 (6 0 .0 % ) ,单侧 6例 (4 0 .0 % ) ,均为中、下肺野 (1 0 0 % )。动态观察发现病变进展快 ,病变发展到高峰期时间为 4～ 1 4d , x±s(7.7± 3.2 )d ,双侧 1 3例 (86 .7% ) ,单侧 2例 (1 3.3% ) ,两肺叶及两肺叶以上病变者 1 4例 (93.3% )。病变开始吸收时间为 6～ 2 1d , x±s(1 1 .3± 4 .1 )d ;完全或基本吸收时间 8～ 2 6d , x±s(1 6 .4± 5 .0 )d。1 5例经治疗均痊愈出院。住院时间 1 8～ 4 2d , x±s(31 .9± 7.9)d。 结论 :传染性非典型肺炎的胸部X线特点为急性双侧或单侧多叶炎性浸润阴影 ,以中、下野常见 ,进展迅速 ,及时复查胸部X线对临床诊断及判断病情具有重要价值。     

Pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） first emerged in Guangdong province, China in November 2002. During the following 3 months, it spread rapidly across the world, resulting in approximately 800 deaths. In 2004, subsequent sporadic cases emerged in Singapore and China. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV, was identified as the etiological agent of SARS.1＇2 This virus belongs to a family of large, positive, single-stranded RNA viruses. Nevertheless, genomic characterization shows that the SARS-CoV is only moderately related to other known coronaviruses.3 In contrast with previously described coronaviruses, SARS-CoV infection typically causes severe symptoms related to the lower respiratory tract. The SARS-CoV genome includes 14 putative open reading frames encoding 28 potential proteins, and the functions of many of these proteins are not known.4 A number of complete and partial autopsies of SARS patients have been reported since the first outbreak in 2003. The predominant pathological finding in these cases was diffuse alveolar damage （DAD）, This severe pulmonary injury of SARS patients is caused both by5 direct viral effects and immunopathogenetic factors, Many important aspects of the pathogenesis of SARS have not yet been fully clarified. In this article, we summarize the most important mechanisms involved in the complex pathogenesis of SARS, including clinical characters, host and receptors, immune system response and genetic factors.     

严重急性呼吸综合征682例临床分析

目的探讨严重急性呼吸综合征(severe acute respiratory syndrome,SARS)的临床特点.方法回顾性统计分析北京小汤山医院收治的682例SARS临床病例资料.结果682例SARS患者的年龄分布于13～76岁.356例(52.2%)有明确的接触史,有171例(25.1%)发病前曾到过医院.677例(99.3%)患者出现发热,5例患者体温正常.其它主要症状包括咳嗽(44.3%)、气促(12.2%)、腹泻(8.9%);外周血白细胞计数正常或降低占87.4%;ALT和CPK升高的比例分别为16.4%、2.5%;全部患者都有肺部病变,累及双肺占69.8%;死亡6例.结论该病有较强的传染性,医院是重要的传播场所;发热、咳嗽、胸片异常及外周血白细胞正常或降低是该综合征的主要临床特点.     

河南省传染性非典型肺炎病例临床分析

目的 :分析河南省传染性非典型肺炎 (SARS)的临床特点 ,并对其诊断和治疗方法进行探讨。方法 :对2 0 0 3年 4月至 2 0 0 3年 6月河南省收治的 1 5例SARS患者的症状、体征、实验室检查、影像学资料及治疗进行回顾性分析。结果 :1 5例传染性非典型肺炎患者男 :女为 1 :1 .5 ,年龄 2 0～ 5 3岁 , x±s(34.4± 9.9)岁。有明确流行病学接触史 1 1例 (73.3% )。潜伏期 4～ 1 0d , x±s(6 .6± 1 .7)d。主要症状包括 :发热 1 5例 (1 0 0 % ) ,乏力 1 3例 (87.6 % ) ,咳嗽 1 2例 (80 % ) ,呼吸困难 1 0例 (6 6 .7% ) ,畏寒或寒颤 5例 (33.3% ) ,咳痰 3例 (2 0 % )。体征包括 :呼吸增快 7例 (4 6 .7% ) ,紫绀 4例 (2 6 .7% )。WBC >1 0 .0× 1 0 9L-1 2例 (1 3.3% ) ,(4 .0～ 1 0 .0 )× 1 0 9L-1 1 1例 (73.4 % ) ,<4 .0× 1 0 9L-12例 (1 3.3% ) ,淋巴细胞计数≤ 1 .0× 1 0 9L-1 9例 (6 0 % ) ,(1 .0～ 2 .0 )× 1 0 9L-1 3例 (2 0 % ) ,>2 .0× 1 0 9L-1 3例(2 0 % )。首次胸部X线片示病变累及双侧肺叶 9例 (6 0 % )、单侧多叶 6例 (4 0 % ) ,病变发展到高峰时间 4～ 1 4d , x±s(7.7± 3.2 )d、病变开始吸收时间 6～ 2 1d , x±s(1 1 .3± 4 .1 )d、病变完全或基本吸收时间 8～ 2 6d , x±s(1 6 .4± 5 .0 )     

重症SARS患者转归因素的分析--附165例报告

目的:分析影响严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)患者预后的诸因素,以指导临床救治及疗效判定.方法:采用SPSS 11.0及SDAS软件回顾性分析165例临床确诊的重症SARS患者的临床特征,确定影响SARS转归的诸因素.结果:(1)年龄与预后显著相关(r=0.506,P<0.001),≤50岁与>50岁患者的病死率分别为4.08％及53.3％(P<0.01);(2)有无基础病变与预后显著相关(r=0.457,P<0.001),其病死率分别为54.5％及7.5％(P<0.01);(3)入院时CK、LDH、CK-MB、AST、HBDH、尿素改变、肌酐改变与预后相关,Pearson相关系数分别为0.520、0.497、0.485、0.471、0.358、0.371及0.339(P均<0.01);(4)病情最重时淋巴细胞绝对数(Ly)、Plt计数、尿常规改变、LDH、HBDH、CK-MB、AST、尿素、CK、TB、尿素改变、肌酐改变、呼吸频率、低氧血症程度、胸片受累肺叶数与预后相关,Pearson相关系数分别为-0.257、-0.473、0.544、0.788、0.696、0.586、0.481、0.379、0.368 、0.329、0.279、0.414、0.728、0.765及0.366(P均<0.05).结论:重症SARS患者转归与年龄,病前基础病变,病情最重时的Ly、Plt、尿常规改变、呼吸频率、低氧血症程度、胸片受累肺叶数、TB、尿素,以及入院、病情最重时的AST、LDH、CK、CK-MB、HBDH、尿素改变及肌酐改变有关.     

急性传染性非典型肺炎的影像表现

目的探讨急性传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)的X线表现及变化规律.方法回顾性分析临床诊断SARS的61例患者,对发病后的一系列胸片和CT影像进行统计分析.结果患者以发热为最早起病症状,88.5%患者在起病1周内肺部出现肺局灶性斑片状模糊影,并迅速扩大.2周内病变达高峰,有57.4%患者两肺大部分肺野受累,病情重.83.6%患者在5周内肺部阴影逐渐消散.在恢复期16例CT扫描中,有13例显示肺部遗留纤维化病灶.有6例患者合并感染,病期延长,4例死亡.结论SARS早期出现肺部炎性改变,发展迅速,大部分两肺受累,重症比例高,易致肺纤维化.