A scoping study of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis: severity classification based on radiographic and tomographic...

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Pulmonology
• Radiology

Background:

• Paracoccidioidomycosis frequently affects the lungs, serving as the primary entry site for the fungus and a reservoir for quiescent infections.
• Despite numerous studies, a standardized imaging-based classification for pulmonary involvement severity in paracoccidioidomycosis is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and propose a classification system for active and residual pulmonary damage in paracoccidioidomycosis.
• To utilize radiographic and tomographic imaging for evaluating the extent and type of lung lesions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of radiographic and tomographic images from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis.
• Classification of pulmonary lesions based on the area of lung involvement and lesion characteristics.
• Evaluation of active versus residual disease patterns.

Main Results:

• A novel classification system for pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis was established.
• The system differentiates between active and residual lung damage based on imaging findings.
• Key imaging features correlating with disease activity and chronicity were identified.

Conclusions:

• The proposed imaging classification provides a standardized method for assessing pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis severity.
• This classification can aid in clinical management and prognosis evaluation.
• Further validation studies are warranted to confirm the clinical utility of this system.