Thoracic CT in 2009 H1N1 influenza

Abstract

• Editor, I read the recent publication on thoracic CT in 2009 H1N1 influenza with a great interest 1. Rostami1 et al. concluded that “The most common thoracic CT findings in pandemic H1N1 were patchy infiltration, lobar consolidation, and interstitial infiltration with airbronchogram and bilateral distribution.¹” This is an interesting finding. Indeed, there are some previous reports on thoracic CT and Chest X ray findings in 2009 H1N1 influenza with similar findings.^{2, 3} However, it was noted that the pattern of thoracic pathological image relates to the severity of the diseases^.2 The question on the CT findings that “is there any relationship between detected thoracic CT pattern and severity of the disease?” should be raised. However, based on the present study with few subjects, it might not be concluded. Finally, it seems not clear why thoracic CT was used in the setting of this retrospective study. Thoracic CT is not routinely used in management of influenza. Rationale of this investigation should be further clarified and discussed.