PURPOSE: The authors sought to assess the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the detection and follow-up of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients and to identify the most common radiological patterns for diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain chest radiographs and HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with NTM pulmonary infection (M/F 26/16; mean age 57, range 41-83) were retrospectively reviewed. Ten of these patients were followed up for 18 months after diagnosis. Small nodules (<10 mm), nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, lobar/segmental consolidation, cavitations, bronchiectasis and tree-in-bud pattern were analysed. RESULTS: Small nodules were more frequent than nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, and segmental consolidation was more frequent than lobar. Cavitations, tree-in-bud and bronchiectasis were more frequently located in the upper lobes. Four of the followed-up patients had cavitation of preexisting nodules, and five had progression of bronchiectasis. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT allows accurate detection and followup of the most frequent presentation patterns: diffuse small nodules, bronchiectasis, upper lobe segmental consolidation and cavitations. The appearance of new bronchiectasis and progression of old disease are due to pulmonary infection.
PURPOSE: The authors sought to assess the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the detection and follow-up of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients and to identify the most common radiological patterns for diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain chest radiographs and HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with NTM pulmonary infection (M/F 26/16; mean age 57, range 41-83) were retrospectively reviewed. Ten of these patients were followed up for 18 months after diagnosis. Small nodules (<10 mm), nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, lobar/segmental consolidation, cavitations, bronchiectasis and tree-in-bud pattern were analysed. RESULTS: Small nodules were more frequent than nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, and segmental consolidation was more frequent than lobar. Cavitations, tree-in-bud and bronchiectasis were more frequently located in the upper lobes. Four of the followed-up patients had cavitation of preexisting nodules, and five had progression of bronchiectasis. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT allows accurate detection and followup of the most frequent presentation patterns: diffuse small nodules, bronchiectasis, upper lobe segmental consolidation and cavitations. The appearance of new bronchiectasis and progression of old disease are due to pulmonary infection.
Authors: J H Austin; N L Müller; P J Friedman; D M Hansell; D P Naidich; M Remy-Jardin; W R Webb; E A Zerhouni Journal: Radiology Date: 1996-08 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: J Fujita; Y Ohtsuki; I Suemitsu; E Shigeto; I Yamadori; Y Obayashi; H Miyawaki; N Dobashi; T Matsushima; J Takahara Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 1999-03 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: Giulia Bonaiti; Alberto Pesci; Almerico Marruchella; Giuseppe Lapadula; Andrea Gori; Stefano Aliberti Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-05-27 Impact factor: 3.411