Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma as the initial presentation of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) usually presents in HIV-infected patients with cutaneous lesions that may advance to extensive visceral disease. There have been only a few documented cases in which the initial presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma involved the bronchopulmonary system. We describe a newly diagnosed patient who presented with pulmonary KS as his initial presentation of the disease. Our report is intended to increase clinicians' awareness that pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in HIV-infected patients who present with respiratory symptoms, even if they do not manifest the typical mucocutaneous manifestations of KS or have low CD4 counts. Early diagnosis and therapy are essential in improving outcomes as this condition carries a high mortality.