Radiographic manifestations of pulmonary cryptococcosis

Pulmonary cryptococcosis may occur in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. The purpose of the present study was to review the radiologic findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The radiographs and computed tomography of the chests of the patients who had a diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis, between 1998-2001, were retrospectively reviewed. Seven patients were included. Five were HIV infected, three had diffuse reticulonodular opacities, two (of the three) patients also had accompanying cavities; two had solely pleural effusion. Two patients were immunocompetent; one had a pulmonary nodule and another one had an endobronchial lesion and multiple pulmonary masses in the collapsed lung seen on CT scan, which were consistent with cryptococcoma. None had adenopathy. There was a difference in the radiologic manifestations between immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. Knowledge in radiographic features in pulmonary cryptococcosis should help radiologists to early recognize the disease and may improve the treatment outcome.