Added value of a chest multidetector computed tomography scoring system in the assessment of chronic lung disease among pediatric patients

Abstract

Background Pediatric chronic lung disease (CLD) represents a heterogeneous group of several distinct clinical entities, with its prevalence increasing over the last decade. The current study aimed to identify the role of chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) using modified Bhalla scoring for the early diagnosis of CLD in pediatric patients and determine the most common chest MDCT findings. This prospective study involved 45 pediatric patients with chronic respiratory symptoms, all of whom underwent MDCT. Thereafter, data were analyzed using the modified Bhalla score. Results Chronic lung diseases were classified according to their radiological and clinical criteria. The total CT score, which was the most significant factor for chronic inhalation and chronic recurrent inflammatory lung diseases, varied between 2 and 21 points, with those having autoimmune diseases exhibiting the largest value for the mean CT score. The clinical severity of symptoms was not correlated with CT score. Conclusion Our findings showed that MDCT was a useful tool for diagnosing pediatric CLD and assessing disease extent, severity, and superimposed complications. The modified Bhalla CT scoring system allowed for systematic primary and follow-up assessments of various lung lesions in cases with varying CLD etiologies.