Extrapulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection in AIDS: CT findings

Article Abstract:

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is an opportunistic infection (that is, an infection that arises in the presence of an impaired immune system) frequently seen in AIDS patients. Although it usually is confined to the lungs, infection in these patients can occur outside the pulmonary system. Diagnostic imaging can usually detect P. carinii infection in the lungs. The results of imaging studies of P. carinii infection outside the pulmonary system were evaluated. Computed tomography (CT), a diagnostic imaging technique in which a computer generates images from data obtained from scanning X-rays, was performed on three AIDS patients. Biopsies were performed on tissues with suspected P. carinii infection for final diagnosis. CT showed abnormalities on the spleens of all three patients. CT abnormalities were also seen on the kidneys of two patients, the lymph nodes of two patients, the liver of one patient, and the adrenal glands of one patient. On follow-up CT examinations, the splenic lesions appeared smaller and increasingly calcified. Calcification was also seen in the lymph nodes of two patients on follow-up examinations. In the patient with liver abnormalities on initial CT examination, follow-up examinations showed increasing numbers of calcified lesions. Biopsy results in two patients confirmed P. carinii infection of the spleen. In the patient with liver abnormalities, biopsy results confirmed infection of the liver. Bone marrow biopsy samples also showed P. carinii infection in one patient. These results demonstrate that extrapulmonary P. carinii infection appears on CT images. CT should be quite useful in diagnosing these infections, as the number of cases is expected to increase in the next few years. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Diagnosis, Complications and side effects, AIDS (Disease), Opportunistic infections, Pneumocystis carinii

---

Observations on the growth of renal neoplasms

Article Abstract:

Tumors found in renal (kidney) tissues are diverse in characteristics and clinical effects. Much is known about them except for actual growth rate, since most are removed as soon as discovered. To learn more about growth patterns of renal tumors, records were reviewed of 11 patients with renal tumors that had not been immediately removed and had been imaged on a regular basis using computed tomography (CT) over long periods of time (between 2 and 7.8 years). Initial sizes of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 cm, with the average being 2.5 cm. Growth rates varied considerably, with rates ranging from no growth in one patient to 1.6 cm per year, with an average of 0.5 cm per year. Seven of the tumors were analyzed pathologically, of which five were found to be low-grade, stage I neoplasms (tumors) and two were high-grade, stage II neoplasms. CT images revealed that the low-grade tumors appeared to be well defined with slow growth rates, while the high-grade tumors were irregular and had high growth rates. Five of eleven tumors categorized as small grew significantly to at least 3.5 cm. This is important since renal adenomas (benign tumors) are usually diagnosed as being well defined and less than 3.0 cm in size. None of the tumors became malignant during the study period. The results show that tumor growth in renal tissue is highly variable and related to tumor type and morphology. The results also indicate some tumors may be better treated without surgery but with ongoing imaging to monitor their growth. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Medical examination, Growth, Kidneys, Tumors, Kidney

---

Bowel obstruction: evaluation with CT

Article Abstract:

Bowel or intestinal obstructions are normally diagnosed on the basis of symptoms, with X-rays or barium studies used to confirm or clarify the diagnosis in unclear or suspicious cases. Computed tomography (CT) is a specialized X-ray technique that uses a computer to generate images. CT has been reported useful in evaluating bowel obstructions, although no formal studies have assessed this use. To examine the effectiveness of CT in evaluating bowel obstruction, the CT results from 84 patients who had a clinical diagnosis of obstruction and 83 patients who had no indications of bowel obstruction were randomized and interpreted by either of two pairs of readers who had no other knowledge of the cases other than the CT results. The readers' evaluations of obstruction from the CT results were compared with final diagnoses. Of the 84 patients thought to have an obstruction, 64 were ultimately diagnosed as having one. CT evaluations correctly diagnosed the presence of an obstruction in 60 of the 64 cases and correctly indicated the absence of obstruction in 99 of 103 cases. The cause of the obstruction was correctly predicted by CT evaluation in 47 of 64 (73 percent) of cases. CT appeared to be especially useful when diagnosing obstructions in patients who had abdominal cancer or who had not undergone surgery and who had signs of infection or a palpable mass. The technique should be a useful addition to the diagnostic tools available for diagnosing bowel obstruction. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Reports, Intestines, Diagnostic imaging, Intestinal obstruction

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Disseminated Pneumocystis carinii infection in AIDS. Epstein-Barr virus associated esophageal ulcers in AIDS. Campylobacter pylori in the upper gastrointestinal tract of patients with HIV-1 infection
• Abstracts: Aerosol pentamidine for secondary prophylaxis of AIDS-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a randomized, placebo-controlled study
• Abstracts: This month brings new information about AIDS to profession, public. Global full-court press against HIV, AIDS spurred by player's infection
• Abstracts: Human immunodeficiency virus infection in disadvantaged adolescents: findings from the US Job Corps. Seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus infection at sentinel hospitals in the United States
• Abstracts: Extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of AIDS-related complex: a pilot study. Photopheresis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection: the Annals views preliminary reports

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.