HRCT in detection of pulmonary infections from nontuberculous mycobacteria: personal experience.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to assess the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the detection and follow-up of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients and to identify the most common radiological patterns for diagnosis.


METHODS
Plain chest radiographs and HRCT scans of 42 consecutive patients with NTM pulmonary infection (M/F 26/16; mean age 57, range 41-83) were retrospectively reviewed. Ten of these patients were followed up for 18 months after diagnosis. Small nodules (<10 mm), nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, lobar/segmental consolidation, cavitations, bronchiectasis and tree-in-bud pattern were analysed.


RESULTS
Small nodules were more frequent than nodules 10- to 30-mm in diameter, and segmental consolidation was more frequent than lobar. Cavitations, tree-in-bud and bronchiectasis were more frequently located in the upper lobes. Four of the followed-up patients had cavitation of preexisting nodules, and five had progression of bronchiectasis.


CONCLUSIONS
HRCT allows accurate detection and followup of the most frequent presentation patterns: diffuse small nodules, bronchiectasis, upper lobe segmental consolidation and cavitations. The appearance of new bronchiectasis and progression of old disease are due to pulmonary infection.
Ferrara
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Dip. di Internistica Clinica F. Magrassi-L. Lanzara, Sezione Scientifica di Radiologia, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, 80121, Napoli, Italy.
Cappabianca
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Brunese
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L
Valente
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Muto
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Muto
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Rotondo
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A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*