Persistent pulmonary granulomas after recovery from varicella pneumonia

A 41-year-old man was found to have a miliary infiltrate on chest roentgenogram two months after recovery from varicella pneumonia. The patient remained in good health and there was no objective sign of pulmonary disease. The infiltrate showed no change in subsequent serial chest films, and after one year, open lung biopsy was performed. Histology revealed isolated necrotizing granulomas with a mononuclear infiltration and a fibrous capsule. We discuss the differential diagnosis of pulmonary granulomas and conclude that the roentgenographic and biopsy findings probably represent a persistent lesion after varicella pneumonia.