A Frequent Error in Etiology of Round Pneumonia

A case of round pneumonia due to Enterobacter hormaechei: the need for a standardized diagnosis and treatment approach in adults

Round pneumonia is an unusual radiological manifestation of a bacterial lung infection. We present the case of an elderly male patient who arrived at the emergency room with a productive cough and exertional dyspnea. His chest x-ray and CT showed a round opacity and air bronchograms in the right upper lobe. Taken together, the patient's symptoms and images strongly suggest a pulmonary infection. Empirical antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and clarithromycin was started. The sputum culture was positive for Enterobacter hormaechei and the bacterium was sensitive to levofloxacin; therefore, the antibiotic therapy was changed. Despite the treatment, the patient progressed to respiratory failure and septic shock, dying six days after admission. Although round pneumonia is uncommon, it is a potentially curable disease and clinicians should always consider it in their differential diagnosis.

Case of round pneumonia: pulmonary infarct and a rare situation that is similar with the lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Round pneumonia (RP) is a rare radiological presentation of a subtype of lobar pneumonia that arises because of a developmental defect in connective tissues (pores of Köhn and channels of Lambert). The round appearance on chest X-ray (CXR) is thought to occur from an infectious process that spreads from small peripheral alveoli centrifugally through interalveolar channels via the pores of Kohn and the canals of Lambert. This explains the nonsegmental distribution and shape of RP. The pathogenesis of RP is unknown. An alternative theory holds that RP in children occurs because of underdeveloped pores of Kohn and the absence of canals of Lambert, limiting the spread of the organism and resulting in a focal, round mass seen on radiographs. As a result of this developmental defect, dissemination of infection remains in a limited area. While this is a well-known entity in childhood, it has been described infrequently in adults. Lesions of RP are not necessarily round; oval lesions can also be seen. It is a radiological subtype of the pneumonia subtype and presents as a solitary nodule or a mass lesion in CXR.

METHODS

We presented two cases of RP. One mimicked and was mistaken for pulmonary infarction because of triangular pleural-based density and the other mimicked pulmonary malignancy because of a homogeneous triangular opacity based on the pleura on the posteroanterior radiography and computed tomography.

CONCLUSION

These cases were presented because of RP's importance, and RP should be considered a part of differential diagnosis of pulmonary infarct and lung tumor.

Imaging of round pneumonia and mimics in children

Various diseases in the pediatric age group can present as an intrathoracic rounded opacity on a chest radiograph. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to emphasize the imaging appearance of round pneumonia, an entity that occurs especially in the pediatric population. Additional pathologies with similar chest radiographic appearances are also presented. The diagnosis of round pneumonia should be made in children who have the typical clinical presentation along with chest radiographs demonstrating the characteristic findings.

Echocardiography practice, training and accreditation in the intensive care: document for the World Interactive Network Focused on Critical Ultrasound (WINFOCUS)

Echocardiography is increasingly used in the management of the critically ill patient as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool. Whilst in few countries specialized national training schemes for intensive care unit (ICU) echocardiography have been developed, specific guidelines for ICU physicians wishing to incorporate echocardiography into their clinical practice are lacking. Further, existing echocardiography accreditation does not reflect the requirements of the ICU practitioner. The WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) ECHO-ICU Group drew up a document aimed at providing guidance to individual physicians, trainers and the relevant societies of the requirements for the development of skills in echocardiography in the ICU setting. The document is based on recommendations published by the Royal College of Radiologists, British Society of Echocardiography, European Association of Echocardiography and American Society of Echocardiography, together with international input from established practitioners of ICU echocardiography. The recommendations contained in this document are concerned with theoretical basis of ultrasonography, the practical aspects of building an ICU-based echocardiography service as well as the key components of standard adult TTE and TEE studies to be performed on the ICU. Specific issues regarding echocardiography in different ICU clinical scenarios are then described. Obtaining competence in ICU echocardiography may be achieved in different ways - either through completion of an appropriate fellowship/training scheme, or, where not available, via a staged approach designed to train the practitioner to a level at which they can achieve accreditation. Here, peri-resuscitation focused echocardiography represents the entry level--obtainable through established courses followed by mentored practice. Next, a competence-based modular training programme is proposed: theoretical elements delivered through blended-learning and practical elements acquired in parallel through proctored practice. These all linked with existing national/international echocardiography courses. When completed, it is anticipated that the practitioner will have performed the prerequisite number of studies, and achieved the competency to undertake accreditation (leading to Level 2 competence) via a recognized National or European examination and provide the appropriate required evidence of competency (logbook). Thus, even where appropriate fellowships are not available, with support from the relevant echocardiography bodies, training and subsequently accreditation in ICU echocardiography becomes achievable within the existing framework of current critical care and cardiological practice, and is adaptable to each countrie's needs.

Atypical pneumonias: current clinical concepts focusing on Legionnaires' disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides clinicians with an overview of the clinical features of the atypical pneumonias. Atypical community-acquired pneumonia pathogens cause systemic infections with pneumonia. The key to the clinical diagnosis of atypical pneumonias depends on recognizing the characteristic pattern of extrapulmonary organ involvement different for each pathogen. As Legionella is likely to present as severe pneumonia and does not respond to beta-lactams, it is important to presumptively diagnose Legionnaires' disease clinically so that Legionella coverage is included in empiric therapy. This study reviews the clinical features and nonspecific laboratory markers of atypical pathogens, focusing on Legionnaires' disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Case reports/outbreaks increase our understanding of Legionnaires' disease transmission. Both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophilia pneumoniae may cause asthma. Antimicrobial therapy of Chlamydophilia pneumoniae/Mycoplasma pneumoniae is important to decrease person-to-person spread and to decrease potential long-term sequelae.

SUMMARY

Atypical pulmonary pathogens cause systemic infections accompanied by a variety of characteristic extrapulmonary features. Clinically, it is possible to differentiate Legionnaires' disease from the other typical/atypical pneumonias. Rapid clinical diagnosis of atypical pathogens, particularly Legionnaires' disease, is important in selecting effective empiric therapy and prompting definitive laboratory testing.

Round pneumonia: a rare condition mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma. Case report and review of the literature

CONTEXT

Round pneumonia is a condition usually described in children, with few reports addressing adult patients. It is an oval-shaped consolidation that, due to its radiological appearance, simulates bronchogenic carcinoma. Its evolution tends to be benign, although diagnostic dilemmas have sometimes required exploratory thoracotomy. Deaths caused by this condition have even been reported. To the best of our knowledge, there have been 31 previous cases of round pneumonia in adults reported in the English and Portuguese-language literature, of which only one was completely asymptomatic.

CASE REPORT

The case of a 54-year-old female patient presenting a lung mass found on routine imaging evaluation is reported. Respiratory symptoms and signs were absent, but the patient had a significant history of smoking. Her physical examination gave normal results. On chest radiographs, a mass located in the middle third of the right lung was observed. Three weeks after the initial evaluation, the patient was admitted for a complete evaluation and for staging of a pulmonary malignancy, but repeated chest radiographs showed complete resolution.

Pneumonia redonda, uma apresentação radiológica rara

OBJETIVO: Descrição de caso de pneumonia redonda em criança. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Criança do gênero feminino, quatro anos e 11 meses, com dor no corpo, cefaléia e febre sem sinais localizatórios há dois dias. Apresentou radiografia de tórax com imagem redonda em lobo superior do pulmão direito e lobo médio do pulmão esquerdo. O hemograma mostrou leucocitose e neutrofilia. Com a antibioticoterapia, houve resolução do quadro clínico e radiológico. COMENTÁRIOS: Considerando outros diagnósticos diferenciais diante desta apresentação radiológica, em crianças com quadro infeccioso, é razoável aguardar a resposta clínica à antibioticoterapia antes de prosseguir com investigação de maior complexidade.