title: [The manifestations and clinical significance of chest CT in paragonimiasis at different clinical phases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the chest CT manifestations of paragonimiasis at different clinical phases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight cases of paragonimiasis confirmed by laboratory studies were retrospectively analyzed. There were 30 males and e18 females ageing 9 - 66 years (average, 31.4 years). Conventional chest CT was performed in all cases and contrast enhanced CT in some cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chest CT findings of paragonimiasis included: (1) peribronchial inflammation (n = 9); (2) infiltration (n = 13), manifested as unilateral or bilateral patchy infiltrates with hazy borders. The location and shape were variable. The typical "canal gas-path" sign was seen in a few patients; (3) nodular and masses (n = 11); (4) cysts and cavity (n = 6); (5) pleural effusion (n = 9). The CT appearances of paragonimiasis were different at different clinical phases. Peribronchial inflammation, infiltration and pleural effusion were early presentations, not distinguishable from other common infections. The appearance of nodules, masses, cysts and cavities was more common in the clinical course. At the stabilization phase, nodular cavity or pleura thickening and calcification were revealed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are various abnormalities on chest CT at different phases of paragonimiasis. Combination of clinical manifestations with chest CT characteristics is important in the diagnosis of paragonimiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zheng-qian
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pen
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chun-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010237:Paragonimiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult