[Severe viral pneumonia. A radiological classification with prognostic value].

In one year eighteen children were admitted to an intensive care unit with severe viral pneumonia. Four groups were identified by the appearance of the chest X-ray. Bronchiolitis was seen in eight patients, alveolitis in four, interstitial pneumonia in two and combined bronchiolitis and alveolitis in four. Three of the four children with alveolitis died and six of the twelve with bronchiolitis, alone or with alveolitis, had residual bronchial obstruction.