Radiographic appearance of follicular bronchitis in children.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to present the first radiographic description of a newly described disease in children, follicular bronchitis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical history and radiographs of eight children with biopsy evidence of follicular bronchitis. All eight infants had findings on initial radiographs that were consistent with viral inflammatory disease. The clinical features of follicular bronchitis started by 6-8 weeks old and peaked between about 2 and 3 years old. After several months of the disease, the infants' radiographs showed a more obvious interstitial pattern. When these children were approximately 3 years old, the radiographic findings began to return to normal. Four children have been followed up for at least 8 years. By that age, the clinical symptoms of respiratory disease have disappeared. All four children tested after they were 8 years old had abnormal results of pulmonary function tests. The combination of unique clinical features associated with the radiographic appearances we describe should allow radiologists to suggest the diagnosis of follicular bronchitis.