Benefit of CT scanning for assessing pulmonary disease in the immunodepressed patient.
BACKGROUND
Management of pulmonary disease in immunodepressed patients requires a clear diagnostic and therapeutic strategy and multidisciplinary cooperation.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnostic approach should take into account the type of immunodepression, the clinical picture, the radiological signs and symptoms, and the microbiological, cytological and even histological examination of the pulmonary or extrapulmonary specimens. The high-resolution CT scan plays a central role and makes it possible to prioritize the diagnostic possibilities.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis of the literature shows three important points: the chest X-ray has low diagnostic value; the CT scan of the chest can reveal lesions that cannot be detected on a standard chest X-ray; the CT scan is helpful for early detection and monitoring of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Service de maladies infectieuses et médecine interne, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France. c.godet@chu-poitiers.fr
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Godet
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Elsendoorn
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Roblot
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D055744:Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed