Thin-section CT findings in 32 immunocompromised patients with cytomegalovirus pneumonia who do not have AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review the thin-section CT findings in 32 immunocompromised patients without AIDS who had proven Cytomegalovirus pneumonia.


METHODS
The causes of immunocompromise included bone marrow (n = 25) or solid organ transplantation (n = 5) and corticosteroid therapy (n = 2). The patients included 16 men and 16 women ranging in age from 22 to 70 years (mean age, 43 years). The CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by two thoracic radiologists for the presence, appearance, and distribution of parenchymal abnormalities.


RESULTS
Bilateral abnormalities were seen in all patients. Areas of ground-glass opacification were seen in 21 (66%) of 32 patients. Ground-glass opacification was the predominant CT feature in nine cases (28%). In 19 of 32 patients, ground-glass attenuation was associated with other abnormalities. Multiple nodules were identified in 19 patients (59%). Nodules were bilateral in 15 patients and unilateral in four patients. Nodules were the only CT finding in three patients (9%). Areas of air-space consolidation were identified in 19 patients (59%). Air-space consolidation was the only CT finding in one patient (3%). Other less common CT findings included thickening of the bronchovascular bundles (n = 7) and the tree-in-bud appearance (n = 4). Pleural effusions were seen in seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The thin-section CT manifestations of Cytomegalovirus pulmonary infection usually consist of a mixture of patterns, most commonly ground-glass attenuation, areas of consolidation, and small nodules.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*