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Intrathoracic Kaposi's sarcoma. CT findings
A M Khalil1, M F Carette, J L Cadranel
1Department of Radiology, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.
Aim:
To describe the thin CT scans findings in AIDS patients with intrathoracic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS).
Material And Methods:
Fifty-three CT scans of patients with KS were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of intrathoracic KS was established histologically (n = 17) or on the association of skin KS and the visualization of characteristic endobronchial lesions (n = 36). CT scans were performed with thin slices (2 mm) obtained at 10-mm intervals, and a 512 x 512 reconstruction matrix. No patients had Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia within the 3 months preceding the CT scan examination.
Results:
Numerous nodules (n = 42), tumoral masses (n = 28), bronchovascular pathways thickening (n = 35), and pleural effusions (n = 28) were the most frequent patterns. Septal lines (n = 15), ground-glass opacities (n = 3), and mediastinal adenopathies (n = 8) were not frequent.
Conclusion:
Numerous nodules, tumoral masses, bronchovascular pathways thickening, and bilateral pleural effusions were the main signs of intrathoracic KS; their association (66%) is very characteristic. An opportunistic infection or mycobacteriosis must be sought if the thin CT scans reveal ground-glass opacities and/or mediastinal adenopathies.