Thoracic Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS: CT findings

Cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) were reviewed to characterize the spectrum of thoracic findings seen with chest CT. Of 15 patients with AIDs-related KS involving the chest, 13 (87%) demonstrated pulmonary parenchymal disease characterized by multiple, bilateral flame-shaped or nodular lesions with ill-defined margins distributed along bronchovascular bundles. Pleural disease was noted in 10 (67%) patients, characterized by 9 cases of pleural effusions and 1 case of pleural implants. Chest wall disease involving the sternum, ribs, thoracic spine, and/or subcutaneous tissue was noted in eight (53%) patients. Although pleural and parenchymal lung disease are recognized manifestations of thoracic KS, there is also a high incidence of extrapulmonary chest disease evident on CT in patients with AIDS.