Pneumatocele Clinical Presentation

Updated: Apr 22, 2021
  • Author: Denise Serebrisky, MD; Chief Editor: Kenan Haver, MD  more...
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Presentation

History

Children present with typical features of pneumonia, including cough, fever, and respiratory distress. No clinical findings differentiate pneumonia with or without pneumatocele formation.

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Physical Examination

Mild, moderate, or severe respiratory distress may be present, with tachypnea, retractions, grunting, and nasal flaring. Fever is almost always present and may be as high as 40-41°C.

Lung examination findings vary depending on the stage of the pneumonia. Auscultation of the chest reveals focal or bilateral decreased breath sounds. Inspiratory crackles are frequently heard. As the pneumonia resolves and the pneumatocele persists, the lung examination findings can be normal or focal decreases in breath sounds can be present, depending on the size of the pneumatocele.

In most children admitted to the hospital, the average time from admission to the development of the pneumatocele is 4-7 days. Occasionally, pneumatoceles are present on the initial radiograph.

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