title: [Pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pulmonary infections are a common complication in immunosuppressed patients with a frequently fatal prognosis despite modern prophylactic therapy. An early and correct diagnosis is important for initiation of the appropriate therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chest radiography is the preferred initial imaging examination but is not accurate enough for the detection of pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pneumonia is caused by a broad spectrum of pathogens in immunocompromised patients. In addition to imaging, the clinical history and epidemiology also play an important role in the diagnostics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using epidemiological and anamnestic information, computed tomography (CT) shows a significantly better sensitivity and specificity particularly for the diagnosis of atypical forms of pneumonia. Due to the exact imaging of the different infiltration patterns CT provides an increased sensitivity with respect to the etiological classification of pulmonary infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article reviews in particular the radiological findings of commonly occurring pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients.
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Solyanik
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gaass
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellbach
authors.affiliation: Institut für klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Campus Großhadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, München, Deutschland. Julien.Dinkel@med.uni-muenchen.de.|Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC‑M), Max-Lebsche-Platz 31, 81377, München, Deutschland. Julien.Dinkel@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dinkel
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Computed tomography; Epidemiology; Infiltration pattern; Medical history; Thoracic imaging