PURPOSE: To determine whether the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can help differentiate the potential infectious and neoplastic causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The thoracic CT scans obtained in 60 patients with AIDS and multiple pulmonary nodules were reviewed retrospectively by two thoracic radiologists who were blinded to clinical and pathologic data. The scans were evaluated for nodule size, distribution, and morphologic characteristics. CT findings were correlated with final diagnoses. RESULTS: Thirty-six (84%) of 43 patients with opportunistic infection had a predominance of nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter, whereas 14 (82%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had a predominance of nodules larger than 1 cm (P <.001). Of the 43 patients with opportunistic infection, 28 (65%) had a centrilobular distribution of nodules; only one (6%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had this distribution (P <.001). Seven (88%) of eight patients with a peribronchovascular distribution had Kaposi sarcoma (P <.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with AIDS who have multiple pulmonary nodules at CT, nodule size and distribution are useful in the differentiation of potential causes. Nodules smaller than 1 cm, especially those with a centrilobular distribution, are typically infectious. Nodules larger than 1 cm are often neoplastic. A peribronchovascular distribution is suggestive of Kaposi sarcoma.
PURPOSE: To determine whether the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can help differentiate the potential infectious and neoplastic causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The thoracic CT scans obtained in 60 patients with AIDS and multiple pulmonary nodules were reviewed retrospectively by two thoracic radiologists who were blinded to clinical and pathologic data. The scans were evaluated for nodule size, distribution, and morphologic characteristics. CT findings were correlated with final diagnoses. RESULTS: Thirty-six (84%) of 43 patients with opportunistic infection had a predominance of nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter, whereas 14 (82%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had a predominance of nodules larger than 1 cm (P <.001). Of the 43 patients with opportunistic infection, 28 (65%) had a centrilobular distribution of nodules; only one (6%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had this distribution (P <.001). Seven (88%) of eight patients with a peribronchovascular distribution had Kaposi sarcoma (P <.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with AIDS who have multiple pulmonary nodules at CT, nodule size and distribution are useful in the differentiation of potential causes. Nodules smaller than 1 cm, especially those with a centrilobular distribution, are typically infectious. Nodules larger than 1 cm are often neoplastic. A peribronchovascular distribution is suggestive of Kaposi sarcoma.
Authors: Joseph K Leader; Kristina Crothers; Laurence Huang; Mark A King; Alison Morris; Bruce W Thompson; Sonia C Flores; Michael B Drummond; William N Rom; Philip T Diaz Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2016-04-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: S P Fiorillo; H C Diefenthal; P C Goodman; H O Ramadhani; B N Njau; A B Morrissey; V P Maro; W Saganda; G D Kinabo; M S Mwako; J A Bartlett; J A Crump Journal: Clin Radiol Date: 2013-06-26 Impact factor: 2.350
Authors: Carolyn M Allen; Hamdan H Al-Jahdali; Klaus L Irion; Sarah Al Ghanem; Alaa Gouda; Ali Nawaz Khan Journal: Ann Thorac Med Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 2.219