Pulmonary cryptococcosis typically occurs in immunocompromised patients, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Its presence in HIV/AIDS patients is associated with higher mortality [1]. Pulmonary cryptococcal infections have been reported in nonimmunocompromised hosts, including non-AIDS patients [1, 2] and children [3]. Due to advances in the diagnosis and widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressants, glucocorticoids and chemotherapeutics, the incidence of pulmonary cryptococcosis has increased dramatically in nonimmunocompromised patients in recent years [4, 5].
Patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis can be completely asymptomatic or have unspecific mild symptoms, …show more content…
Enhanced CT has been shown its potential to differentiate inflammatory lung lesions from cancer [8]. It is barely known whether CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy can assist to accurately early diagnose this disease and thereby avoid unnecessary surgery. Our current study is to evaluate the value of CT and CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy in primary pulmonary cryptococcosis and raise awareness of the …show more content…
CT scans were performed on GE hispeed CT/i (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA) and Siemens Sensation 16 (Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, German) scanners. The entire lung was scanned at a section thickness of 2-5 mm.
Chest CT findings of pulmonary lesions, including their position, size, number, morphology, density, margin, relationship to the pleura, mediastinal or hilar adenopathy, and pleural effusion, were recorded together and in consensus by 2 experienced radiologists through both lung and mediastinal windows.
A total of 25 patients received CT-guided percutaneous pulmonary needle biopsy (Fig. 1A&B). Biopsy needles were 18 or 20 gauge (cook cut needle) and 10-15cm long. Seven of these patients subsequently underwent thoracic surgery. The remaining 11 patients underwent surgery directly without CT-guide biopsy due to
Patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis can be completely asymptomatic or have unspecific mild symptoms, …show more content…
Enhanced CT has been shown its potential to differentiate inflammatory lung lesions from cancer [8]. It is barely known whether CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy can assist to accurately early diagnose this disease and thereby avoid unnecessary surgery. Our current study is to evaluate the value of CT and CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy in primary pulmonary cryptococcosis and raise awareness of the …show more content…
CT scans were performed on GE hispeed CT/i (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA) and Siemens Sensation 16 (Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, German) scanners. The entire lung was scanned at a section thickness of 2-5 mm.
Chest CT findings of pulmonary lesions, including their position, size, number, morphology, density, margin, relationship to the pleura, mediastinal or hilar adenopathy, and pleural effusion, were recorded together and in consensus by 2 experienced radiologists through both lung and mediastinal windows.
A total of 25 patients received CT-guided percutaneous pulmonary needle biopsy (Fig. 1A&B). Biopsy needles were 18 or 20 gauge (cook cut needle) and 10-15cm long. Seven of these patients subsequently underwent thoracic surgery. The remaining 11 patients underwent surgery directly without CT-guide biopsy due to