A Clinical Approach of Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans Using the Results of High Resolution Computed Tomography / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a type of chronic obstructive lung disease. In children, the most common presentation is a post infectious origin. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features, etiology, and radiologic findings of post infectious BO, which was diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The results were then compared to those of the control group. METHODS: We diagnosed 52 children with BO by a review of all performed HRCT findings at Severance Children's Hospital between January 2007 and March 2011. A retrospective study was conducted to define the clinical features, etiology, symptoms, and radiologic findings of post infectious BO. Sixty-five children who were diagnosed with lower respiratory infection confirmed by HRCT were defined as the control group for comparison with post infectious BO patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis with BO was 41.3+/-5.9 months, and that of the control group was 57.1+/-5.1 months. The initial insult age of BO patients was 14.6+/-2.8 months, and that of the control group was 50.9+/-5.0 months. The frequency of previous admissions due to lower respiratory infection was relatively higher in BO patients than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the development of post infectious BO should be early suspected and HRCT should be performed in children with a recurrent admission history of lower respiratory infection, especially in those younger than 2 years of age. Furthermore, continued management of prevent additional infection should be conducted.