[Fungal pneumonia].
Concomitant with advances in medicine, involving the development and use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, organ/stem cell transplantation and pre-existing illnesses such as AIDS, the frequency of fungal infection has increased dramatically. These factors determine the susceptibility of the lung for an acute or chronic course of disease. Early detection, characterisation and follow-up of the pulmonary infiltrates is the major task of the radiologist. The correct timing to perform an investigation and adequate technique are an additional essential factor in this setting. Furthermore, radiological procedures support the clinicians in identifying the underlying micro-organism. The radiologist can suggest which micro-organism might cause the infiltrate. Certain findings and patterns can point to a specific causative agent, but experience, local epidemiology and clinical information are necessary for the differential diagnosis of infiltrates in long-term immunocompromised hosts. In addition, radiological techniques are useful in guiding interventions for identification of the underlying micro-organism or for therapeutical procedures. This review summarises useful radiological information of appearance and complications of fungal pneumonia.
Heussel
C P
CP
Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Mainz. heussel@mail.uni-mainz.de
Ullmann
A J
AJ
Kauczor
H U
HU
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed