Radiological features of AIDS-related pneumocystis jiroveci infection

Abstract Purpose To analyze the clinical and radiological characteristics of AIDS related pneumocystis jiroveci infection, pneumocystis pneumonia (AIDS-PCP). Methods A total of 15 patients with AIDS-PCP was recruited, 14 males and 1 female. All clinical and CT data were collected with all CT images retrospectively analyzed by two senior radiologists who are blind to patients' clinical diagnosis. Results The radiological findings were categorized into 4 types: (1) Ground-glass opacities in 14 cases (93%), with diffuse distributed in bilateral lungs; (2) Interstitial infiltrations in 11 cases (73%), which mainly distributed in lower lobes close to pleura; (3) Irregular patchy densities distributed along the bronchus in 3 cases (20%). (4) Irregular patchy densities with cavity in one case of AIDS-PCP coinfected with Aspergillus infection. Other cases also presented with enlarged mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes, pneumothorax, and pericardial effusion. Conclusion The radiological findings of AIDS-PCP varies from ground-glass opacifications to interstitial changes, and the definitive diagnosis should be made by combination of clinical data.