Imaging infection.
Diagnostic imaging of the thorax is routinely used among both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients to detect infection, identify its complications, and aid in differentiating infectious from noninfectious intrathoracic disease. Imaging is more effective in suggesting specific types of infection in immunocompromised hosts where imaging findings can be combined with information on the patient's immune status, which in some cases allows treatment to be initiated without a pathologic diagnosis. CT imaging is particularly useful in immunosuppressed hosts with symptoms and minimally abnormal radiographs, such as those patients afflicted with bacterial airway infections.
Ketai
Loren
L
Department of Radiology, MSC10 5530, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA. lketai@salud.unm.edu
Jordan
Kirk
K
Marom
Edith M
EM
D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000009:adverse effects; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*