The reversed halo sign on high-resolution CT in infectious and noninfectious pulmonary diseases

The purpose of this article is to describe diseases that may present with the reversed halo sign on high-resolution CT. We emphasize the tomographic features most frequently associated with this sign and correlate them with histologic findings.

A wide spectrum of infectious and noninfectious diseases may present with the reversed halo sign on chest CT. The nonspecific nature of this sign should not cloud an otherwise fairly straightforward diagnosis, especially when associated background findings are typical. Although a rigorous analysis of associated CT findings may help with the differential diagnosis, histologic assessment is often needed for a definitive determination of the cause.