[Corticosteroid therapy and changes in chest radiogram in five patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between corticosteroid therapy and kinetic changes in chest X-ray in five patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: With the identical underlying therapy (levofloxacin or ceftriaxone and macrolide), intravenous methylprednisolone was given at 80 mg twice a day in five patients, and its effect on the development of chest radiogram was observed.

Results: Chest X-rays radiogram showed significant changes until peak stage (4-12 days) with the same doses of methylprednisolone, but it was dissolved consistently afterwards.

Conclusion: It is appeared that corticosteroid therapy has no marked effect on the development of chest radiogram in patients with SARS. It might indicate there is self-limited in course of SARS.