Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the hypothesis that pulmonary venous congestion and oedema manifested predominantly in the right upper lobe in children with mitral regurgitation occur more frequently than previously thought. Materials and methods. Three radiologists retrospectively and independently reviewed the plain chest radiographs of 54 children (26 girls, 28 boys, age range 2 days–18 years, median 9.5 years) with mitral regurgitation admitted to our institution during a 5-year period. Radiographs showing pulmonary venous congestion and oedema manifested predominantly in the right upper lobe were identified. Clinical records of these patients were studied to exclude other causes of pulmonary disease. Results. Radiographic signs of pulmonary venous congestion and oedema were present in all patients, with redistribution of flow and interstitial oedema in 39 patients (72 %) and alveolar oedema in 15 children (28 %). In 12 (22 %) of 54 children, these findings were localised or predominant in the upper lobe of the right lung; none of the children had predominantly left-sided involvement. Conclusions. Pulmonary venous congestion and oedema involving predominantly the upper lobe of the right lung in children with mitral regurgitation occur more frequently than previously thought. This finding is useful in the differential diagnosis of right upper lobe abnormalities, such as pneumonia.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 1 August 1997 Accepted: 17 November 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gudinchet, F., Rodoni, P., Sarraj, A. et al. Pulmonary oedema associated with mitral regurgitation: prevalence of predominant right upper lobe involvement in children. Pediatric Radiology 28, 260–262 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050346
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002470050346