Children with AIDS--is pathologic diagnosis possible based on chest radiographs?

In a review of the clinical, radiographic and pathologic data of 36 patients with AIDS we found 29 with pulmonary infections (Cytomegalic virus, Pneumocystis carinii, etc.) and 7 who had varying types of lymphocytic infiltration and interstitial changes on chest radiographs but did not have opportunistic infection. Pathologic diagnosis included lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, bronchus associated lymphoid tissue, chronic interstitial pneumonitis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and immunoblastic sarcoma. The chest X-rays were not predictive in making a specific diagnosis.