CT Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that CT serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. US Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that US serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. MRI Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that MRI serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. Variant 8: Acute COPD exacerbation in immunocompetent patients with accompanying chest pain, fever, or leukocytosis, or a history of coronary artery disease, or heart failure. Initial imaging. Radiography Chest Chest radiographs seem warranted in COPD patients with significant comorbidities or a higher pretest probability of PNA (such as those who are elderly or who have abnormal vital signs or physical examination findings). Sherman et al [40] suggested that a chest radiograph is indicated if a COPD exacerbation is accompanied by leukocytosis, chest pain, or edema, or by a history of coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. US Chest Studies by Reissig et al [11] and Nazerian et al [10] included patients with COPD. There was no mention of how the presence of COPD might affect the ability of US to diagnose PNA. The presence of COPD did not appear to be a contraindication to US. MRI Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that MRI serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a high pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation.
Acute Respiratory Illness in Immunocompetent Patients. CT Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that CT serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. US Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that US serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. MRI Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that MRI serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a low pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation. Variant 8: Acute COPD exacerbation in immunocompetent patients with accompanying chest pain, fever, or leukocytosis, or a history of coronary artery disease, or heart failure. Initial imaging. Radiography Chest Chest radiographs seem warranted in COPD patients with significant comorbidities or a higher pretest probability of PNA (such as those who are elderly or who have abnormal vital signs or physical examination findings). Sherman et al [40] suggested that a chest radiograph is indicated if a COPD exacerbation is accompanied by leukocytosis, chest pain, or edema, or by a history of coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. US Chest Studies by Reissig et al [11] and Nazerian et al [10] included patients with COPD. There was no mention of how the presence of COPD might affect the ability of US to diagnose PNA. The presence of COPD did not appear to be a contraindication to US. MRI Chest Our literature search failed to identify any data that suggest that MRI serves any significant role in the initial imaging of immunocompetent patients with a high pretest probability of PNA presenting with a COPD exacerbation.