Comparison of CT Findings of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Infection: Disease Stable versus Progressed Group

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#To compare initial CT findings of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection between stable and progressed groups and determine whether they could be used to predict disease prognosis and treatment response.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#From July 2006 to October 2013, 71 patients with NTM infection were retrospectively reviewed. Lung lesion pattern of CT finding, specific species, disease duration, and follow-up period were analyzed. These patients were classified into NTM stable (n = 46) and progressed (n = 25) groups.@*RESULTS@#The most common CT findings of NTM infection were small nodules (n = 71, 100%) and bronchiectasis (n = 67, 94%). Large consolidation (> 2 cm, n = 34, 48%) and involvement of more than four lobes (n = 49, 69%) were also commonly observed. According to disease prognosis, large consolidation (n = 18, 72%, p = 0.003), cavitary lesion (n = 17, p = 0.002), and involvement of four or more lobes (n = 21, p = 0.044) on CT were significantly more frequent in disease progressed group than that in the stable group.@*CONCLUSION@#Among common CT findings of NTM disease, some CT findings such as large consolidation, cavitary lesion, and disease extent are good predictors of response to treatment in NTM pulmonary disease.