The chest radiograph in Legionnaires' disease. Further observations.

Abstract

Chest radiographs of 70 patients with Legionnaires'' disease were evaluated and compared to others in the literature. A larger number of patients in the more recent survey had pleural effusion; there were 3 with cavitation, while none were seen previously. No consistent pattern was observed between marked radiographic changes and patient survival, indicating that the radiograph cannot be used as a prognostic indicator. The radiograph remained abnormal for many months (mean, 104.2 days) and demonstrated a variety of slowly resolving or permanent abnormalities.