TY - JOUR T1 - Chest radiographs following admission with community acquired pneumonia: a retrospective audit JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA4571 VL - 54 IS - suppl 63 SP - PA4571 AU - Sara Upperton AU - Akshay Dwarakanath AU - Ali Ameri Y1 - 2019/09/28 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/54/suppl_63/PA4571.abstract N2 - Introduction and Objectives: Repeat chest x-rays (CXR) are usually performed following a presentation with pneumonia to ensure radiological resolution. Persistent abnormalities should be investigated further to rule out underlying pathology. The aim of this study was to review local compliance and how this changed the management of these patients, particularly in the new diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including malignancy.Method: 489 episodes of community acquired pneumonia were identified retrospectively from September 2017 to July 2018. Admission and follow up CXRs, subsequent imaging, outpatient appointments and final diagnoses were reviewed.Results: 432 (88%) of pneumonia episodes resulted in follow-up CXRs. The median time to follow up was 6 weeks. 262 (61%) of CXRs showed complete resolution of changes, 86 (20%) showed partial resolution and 84 (19%) showed either persistence or progression of radiological abnormalities. 23 (27%) of the episodes with partial resolution had no further tests, 39 (45%) had a further CXR and 24 (28%) had a CT scan. 2 patients were ultimately diagnosed with lung malignancy and 5 with a non-malignant respiratory condition. Of those episodes with persistence or progression of changes, 17 (20%) had no further tests, 30 (36%) had a further CXR and 37 (44%) had a CT scan. 3 patients were found to have malignancy and 13 a non-malignant condition. In total, 5 patients (1%) were found to have a lung malignancy.Conclusion: Follow up CXRs can lead to new malignant and non-malignant diagnosis both when the radiological changes are persistent and when only partially resolved. Further work is required to risk stratify patients into higher and lower risk groups.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA4571.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -