title: Computed tomography for the diagnosis of infectious diseases of the chest.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary infection is a common reason for imaging of the lung in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Findings on chest radiography are nonspecific and encompass poor sensitivity. The role of computed tomography (CT) has been evolving in the diagnosis of lung infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper reviews recent developments in the efficacy and utility of CT in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary infections in a variety of patient populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent published literature was reviewed to prepare this treatise on the role of CT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge and skills at pattern recognition are crucial for the CT interpretation in lung infections. Computed tomography scan is increasingly used to increase the sensitivity of the radiologic diagnosis of thoracic infections. The greatest value of CT is when the radiograph is normal, findings are equivocal, and to differentiate infection from non-infectious disorders.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head University of Manitoba, St Boniface General Hospital, Section of Respirology, Department of Internal Medicine, BG034, 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R2H 2A6, Canada +204 237 2217 ; +204 231 1927 ; ssharma@sbgh.mb.ca.
authors.forename: Sat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma