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Review
. 2022 Feb;62(2):109-119.
doi: 10.1007/s00117-021-00953-w. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

[Pulmonary nodules and pneumonia : A diagnostic guideline]

[Article in German]
Thomas Frauenfelder  1 , Anna Landsmann  2
Affiliations
Review

[Pulmonary nodules and pneumonia : A diagnostic guideline]

[Article in German]
Thomas Frauenfelder et al. Radiologe. 2022 Feb.

Abstract
in English, German

Background: Chest X‑ray is one of the most frequent examinations in radiology and its interpretation is considered part of the basic knowledge of every radiologist.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to recognize common signs and patterns of pneumonias and pseudonodules in chest X‑rays and to provide a diagnostic guideline for young radiologists.

Materials and methods: Recent studies and data are analyzed and an overview of the most common signs and patterns in chest X‑ray is provided.

Results: Knowledge about common signs and patterns in chest X‑ray is helpful in the diagnosis of pneumonias and can be indicative for the cause of an infection. However, those signs are often unspecific and should, therefore, be set in clinical content. Computed tomography is becoming increasingly important in the primary diagnosis of pulmonary lesions because of its much higher sensitivity.

Conclusion: Chest X‑ray is still the first-line modality in the diagnosis of pneumonia and pulmonary nodules; however, radiologists should be aware of its limitations.

Zusammenfassung: HINTERGRUND: Das konventionelle Röntgenbild zählt zu den am häufigsten durchgeführten radiologischen Untersuchungen. Seine Interpretation gehört zu den Grundkenntnissen jedes Radiologen.

Fragestellung: Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, häufige Zeichen und Muster der Pneumonie sowie Merkmale von Pseudoläsionen im konventionellen Röntgenbild zu erkennen und einen diagnostischen Leitfaden für junge Radiologen zu schaffen.

Methoden: Analyse aktueller Studien und Daten sowie eine Übersicht der häufigsten Zeichen und Muster im konventionellen Röntgenbild.

Ergebnisse: Die Kenntnis über häufige Zeichen und Muster im Röntgenbild bietet eine Hilfestellung in der Diagnostik und kann hinweisend für die Ursache einer Infektion sein. Häufig sind diese Zeichen jedoch unspezifisch und sollten daher immer in klinische Korrelation gesetzt werden. In der Detektion und Beurteilung von pulmonalen Rundherden gewinnt die Computertomographie (CT) durch ihre deutlich höhere Sensitivität in der Primärdiagnostik immer mehr an Bedeutung.

Schlussfolgerung: Das konventionelle Röntgenbild bildet weiterhin eine führende Rolle in der Primärdiagnostik; der Radiologe sollte jedoch die Limitationen des konventionellen Bildes kennen.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Infections; Lung; Thoracic radiography; Thorax.

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