Bilateral pneumonia
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers for "bilateral pneumonia"
Bilateral Pneumonia: Insights from Recent Research
COVID-19 and Bilateral Pneumonia
COVID-19 Pneumonia and Pulmonary Embolism
Bilateral pneumonia is a significant manifestation in COVID-19 patients, often accompanied by severe complications. A case study of a 75-year-old woman with COVID-19 revealed severe bilateral pneumonia with extensive ground-glass opacifications and bilateral pulmonary embolism. This case underscores the increased risk of venous thromboembolic events in severe infections, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and comprehensive treatment strategies1.
Radiological Findings in COVID-19 Pneumonia
Radiological studies have shown that COVID-19 pneumonia typically presents with bilateral ground-glass opacities, predominantly in the lung periphery. A study involving 81 patients in Wuhan, China, demonstrated that these abnormalities evolve rapidly from unilateral to bilateral, with ground-glass opacities progressing to consolidations within 1-3 weeks. This progression underscores the importance of early and continuous imaging to monitor disease evolution and guide treatment2.
Role of Radiologists in COVID-19
Radiologists play a crucial role in the early detection and assessment of disease severity in COVID-19 pneumonia. Their ability to identify bilateral ground-glass opacities and other lung abnormalities on CT scans is vital for diagnosing and predicting the progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and potential bacterial co-infections7.
Bilateral Pneumonia in Other Conditions
Stroke-Associated Pneumonia
Bilateral pneumonia is also prevalent in patients with acute ischemic stroke, particularly among the elderly and those with severe neurological deficits. A study of 292 stroke patients found that bilateral lesions were significantly associated with the development of pneumonia, which in turn predicted prolonged hospital stays and a decline in daily living activities3.
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
In community-acquired pneumonia, bilateral multilobar involvement is an independent risk factor for mortality. Studies indicate that patients with bilateral pneumonia have a higher risk of severe outcomes compared to those with unilateral involvement, emphasizing the need for aggressive management in these cases4.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in ARDS
In patients with ARDS, bilateral pneumonia is a common complication. A study evaluating bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in ARDS patients with suspected VAP found that significant bacterial growth was often present in only one lung, though bilateral significant growth was associated with more severe infections. This finding highlights the complexity of diagnosing and treating pneumonia in critically ill patients5.
Treatment and Prognosis
Steroid Therapy in Severe Bilateral Pneumonia
The effectiveness of steroid therapy in treating severe bilateral pneumonia has been explored, particularly in patients with respiratory failure on non-invasive ventilatory support. A study comparing pulse therapy steroid medication to routine steroid therapy found that while both treatments were used, the data did not show significant differences in outcomes based on age and gender, suggesting the need for further research to optimize treatment protocols6.
Prognostic Indicators in Viral Pneumonia
CT findings in viral pneumonia, including COVID-19, can help predict disease prognosis. Bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations are common indicators of severe disease. Detailed analysis of these patterns can aid in determining the need for ventilation support and other intensive care measures, ultimately guiding patient management and improving outcomes9.
Conclusion
Bilateral pneumonia, whether associated with COVID-19, stroke, or other conditions, presents significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Radiological imaging plays a critical role in early detection and monitoring, while understanding the risk factors and complications associated with bilateral involvement can inform more effective management strategies. Continued research and clinical vigilance are essential to improve outcomes for patients with bilateral pneumonia.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Acute pulmonary embolism and COVID-19 pneumonia: a random association?
Severe COVID-19 pneumonia can precipitate acute venous thrombo-embolism without major predisposing factors.
Case Report
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedRadiological findings from 81 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study
COVID-19 pneumonia presents with chest CT imaging abnormalities, even in asymptomatic patients, with rapid evolution from focal unilateral to diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations within 1-3 weeks.
Observational StudyHighly CitedElderly age, bilateral lesions, and severe neurological deficit are correlated with stroke-associated pneumonia.
Elderly age, bilateral lesions, and severe neurological deficits are significantly associated with stroke-associated pneumonia, which predicts inability to take food orally and prolonged hospital stay.
Observational StudyMultilobar bilateral and unilateral chest radiograph involvement: implications for prognosis in hospitalised community-acquired pneumonia
Bilateral multilobar pneumonia is an independent risk factor for mortality in hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia patients, while unilateral multilobar pneumonia is not.
Rigorous JournalPneumonia in acute respiratory distress syndrome. A prospective evaluation of bilateral bronchoscopic sampling.
Bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with ARDS and suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia may reveal significant growth on one side only or both sides in 13% of cases.
Observational StudyHighly CitedTO STUDY THE CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF PULSE THERAPY STEROID WITH ROUTINE STEROID THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE BILATERAL PNEUMONIA AND RESPIRATORY FAILURE ON NONINVASIVEVENTILATORY SUPPORT
Pulse therapy steroid therapy is not statistically significant in improving oxygenation in patients with severe bilateral pneumonia and respiratory failure on non-invasive ventilatory support.
Outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19): What is the role of radiologists?
Radiologists play a crucial role in early detection of COVID-19-infected pneumonia, suggesting disease severity, potential progression to respiratory distress syndrome, and potential bacterial co-infection in hospitalized patients.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedThe radiologic diagnosis of autopsy-proven ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Air bronchograms are the only roentgenographic sign that accurately predicts pneumonia in ventilated patients, but pulmonary hemorrhage and infarction are common autopsy findings and may be confused with pneumonia.
Observational StudyHighly CitedPneumonia Associated with 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Can Computed Tomographic Findings Help Predict the Prognosis of the Disease?
CT findings of COVID-19 pneumonia can help predict disease progression and help determine patient management and prognosis.
Very Rigorous JournalCicatricial variant of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.
The cicatricial variant of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia may be a more recalcitrant form of the disease, with symptomatic patients and persistent disease.
Case Report