Pediatric Aspiration Pneumonia

  • Etiology: newborns and infants who have not yet completely developed their swallow mechanism, children whose swallow mechanism has been damaged due to stroke or intracranial trauma, gastroesophageal reflux, gastric distension during anesthesia
  • Imaging: diffuse lung infiltrates, classically in the right upper lobe

Radiology Cases of Aspiration Pneumonia

CXR of aspiration pneumonia
CXR AP shows a dense infiltrate in the lateral aspect of the right upper lobe.
CXR of aspiration pneumonia
CXR AP shows a dense infiltrate in the apical aspect of the right upper lobe. The stomach is air-filled and distended.
CXR of pulmonary edema in near drowning
CXR AP shows a normal sized heart and bilateral perihilar interstitial infiltrates. There is also a dense opacity in the right upper lobe.