Pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography versus gallium scintigraphy: diagnostic utility in the diagnosis of patients with AIDS who have chest symptoms and normal or equivocal chest radiographs.
Fifty-six consecutive symptomatic patients with AIDS referred for gallium scintigraphy were prospectively studied with chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Results of gallium and HRCT were correlated with findings of bronchoscopy or clinical follow-up for 1 month from time of discharge. Twenty-two patients were eventually diagnosed with at least one of the following: Pneumocystis carinii, cytomegalovirus, Mycobacterium avium complex, bacteria, Kaposi's sarcoma, or lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. HRCT was more sensitive (82%) and more specific (91%) than gallium (59% and 75%, respectively). HRCT yielded higher positive predictive values (86%) and negative predictive values (88%) than did gallium (62% and 73%, respectively). HRCT was more helpful in guiding the method of biopsy and directing the brochoscopist to the diseased lung segment that would maximize diagnostic yield.
Kirshenbaum
K J
KJ
Department of Radiology, Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago 60657, USA.
Burke
R
R
Fanapour
F
F
Lapat
K
K
Overbeeke
C
C
Blatt
D
D
Sukerkar
A
A
Cavallino
R P
RP
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes