Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children: Clinical and radiological evaluation and long-term results

Abstract

Background and objective: This study aims to evaluate clinical and radiological findings and treatment outcomes of the patients with PIBO.

Methods: One hundred fourteen children were enrolled. Initial demographic and clinical findings were evaluated. Pre- and post-treatment clinical and radiological findings were compared.

Results: The median age of the patients at initial pulmonary injury was 7,2 months, the median age at diagnosis was 17.5 months. Persistent wheezing was the most common complaint. Thirty-five patients had mechanical ventilation history. 82,5% of patients had clinical improvement. Bronchiectasis, atelectasis, hyperinflation and air trapping in HRCT improved significantly with treatment. Post-treatment Bhalla scores decreased from 8.3 to 6.5 (p= 0,001). Improvement was observed in radiological and clinical findings after treatment.

Conclusions: This study is one of the largest studies in the literature and one of the few studies that evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with PIBO.

Keywords: Azithromycin; Children; HRCT; Post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans.