Imaging of otolaryngologic manifestations of HIV infection

Patients infected with HIV have severely depressed immune function and are therefore vulnerable to many infectious and neoplastic processes. Head and neck manifestations initially were reported in approximately 40% of patients with AIDS, but in the course of HIV infection and progression to full-blown AIDS, it is now recognized that most patients have abnormalities on head and neck examination at some point in their disease. These manifestations range from relatively benign lymphoid hypertrophy or candidal mucositis to life-threatening fungal infections and high-grade lymphomas. This article reviews the spectrum of imaging findings associated with otolaryngologic diseases in this patient population.