RESUMO
PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the abnormalities of chest radiographs including atelectasis in children who were admitted with bronchial asthma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the 357 chest radiographs and the clinical and laboratory features of the 144 children with asthma, who were admitted at Daejoen St. Mary's Hospital from April 1994 to May 1998. RESULTS: Clinical and laboratory characteristics were as follows: male to female ratio, 2.1 : 1; mean age, 4.8 years of age; mean numbers of admission, 2.5; mean hospitalization, 5.0 days; mean IgE, 387 IU/mL; mean eosinophil count, 362/mm3. In the abnormal findings of the 357 radiographs, there were 314 cases(88.0%) of hyperinflation, pulmonary infiltration 35.0%, atelectasis 5.3% and pneumomediastinum 0.3%. All(19) cases of atelectasis were observed in the right lung field with mostly segmental and lobular distribution, except one with lobar involvement. Atelectasis was predominant in males and those under 2 years of age. There was a tendency that the right upper lung was more involved under two years while the right lower lung was more involved over seven years of age. CONCLUSION: Radiographs of children admitted to hospital with bronchial asthma showed abnormal findings including pneumonia or atelectasis(5.3%). These abnormal findings can help to determine other therapeutic modalities in addition to asthma treatment.