Thoracic cryptococcosis: immunologic competence and radiologic appearance

Abstract

Cryptococcosis, a potentially fatal pulmonary infection, is being recognized with increased frequency in both immunologically compromised patients and those without obvious predisposing factors. This review of 24 cases of proven pulmonary cryptococcosis includes 15 immunologically compromised patients and nine noncompromised hosts. The noncompromised hosts tended to have a radiographic pattern of a peripheral nodule or nodules. The compromised hosts demonstrated a wider variety of radiographic abnormalities including single nodules, multiple nodules that progressed to confluence and/or cavitation, segmental consolidation, bilateral bronchopneumonia, or mixed patterns. Adenopathy, cavitation, and pleural effusions were limited to the compromised hosts.