CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent children / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of our study was to study the CT findings of cryptococcosis in immunocompetent children.Methods CT scan and clinical data of 21 immunocompetent children with proven pulmonary cryptococcosis were retrospectively collected and analyzed.Results The CT scans demonstrated 1 mm subpleural nodule in the lingula of left lung in 1 patient and multiple nodules in 20 patients.Of 20 patients with multiple nodules,peripheral or subpleural distribution was found in 12 patients,and diffuse distribution in 8 patients.Of 20 patients with multiple nodules,Nodules of ＜ 10 mm was found in 18 patients,＜3 mm in 14 patients,and ＞ 10 mm in 2 patients.Round nodular with smooth margin was detected in 15 of 20 patients with multiple nodules.Lymphadenopathy was found in 17 patients including 3 patients with mild contrast enhancement and 2 patients with circular enhancement.Extrapulmonary lesions distributing in liver,spleen,kidney,and the nervous system were found in 14 patients.In follow-up,1 patient died and 20 patients fully recovered.ConclusionsPulmonary multiple nodules with lymphadenopathy is the characteristic CT findings in immunocompetent children with pulmonary crytococcosis which is prone to involve multiple extra-pulmonary organs.