Tomographic assessment of thoracic fungal diseases: a pattern and signs approach

Pulmonary Histoplasmosis in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in French Guiana: Clinical Epidemiology, Medical Imaging and Prognostic

BACKGROUND

Histoplasmosis is mainly described as a disseminated disease in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Compared to historical descriptions in immunocompetent individuals, knowledge is lacking on the detailed clinical and radiological findings and outcomes of pulmonary histoplasmosis (PH). Overlooked or misdiagnosed with other AIDS-defining condition, prognostic of PLHIV may be at risk because of inappropriate care.

METHODS

A retrospective multicentric study was conducted in PLHIV from French Guiana between January 1988 and October 2019. Proven PH were documented through mycological direct examination, culture, or histology. Patients with concomitant respiratory infections were excluded.

RESULTS

Among 65 patients, sex ratio M:F was 2.4 with a median age of 39 years [IQR 25-75%: 34-44]. Median CD4 count was 24 cells/mm3 [11-71], with histoplasmosis as the AIDS-defining condition in 88% and concomitant AIDS-defining conditions in 29%. Clinical findings were fever (89%), cough (58%), dyspnea (35%), expectoration (14%), and hemoptysis (5%). Sixty-one X-rays and 24 CT-scans were performed. On X-rays, an interstitial lung disease was mainly found (77%). On CT-scans, a nodular pattern was predominant (83%): mostly miliary disease (63%), but also excavated nodules (35%). Consolidations were present in 46%, associated with miliary disease in 21%. Thoracic lymphadenopathies were found in 58%, mainly hilar and symmetric (33%). Despite antifungal treatment, case-fatality rate at one month was 22%.

CONCLUSION

When faced with an interstitial lung disease on X-rays or a miliary pattern on CT-scans in advanced PLHIV, physicians in endemic areas, apart from tuberculosis or pneumocystosis, should include histoplasmosis as part of their differential diagnoses.

Computed tomography findings of pulmonary histoplasmosis: pictorial essay

Endemic systemic mycoses are prevalent in specific geographic areas of the world and are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality in the populations of such areas, as well as in immigrants and travelers returning from endemic regions. Pulmonary histoplasmosis is an infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus. This infection has a worldwide distribution, being endemic in Brazil. Histoplasmosis can affect the lungs, and its diagnosis and management remain challenging, especially in non-endemic areas. Therefore, recognition of the various radiological manifestations of pulmonary histoplasmosis, together with the clinical and epidemiological history of the patient, is essential to narrowing the differential diagnosis. This essay discusses the main computed tomography findings of pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Erythema nodosum as key manifestation of histoplasmosis case

Histoplasmosis is a systemic infection caused by the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum Infection of H. capsulatum frequently occurs by inhaling the spores of the fungus, which is found in bat and bird droppings, or soil enriched with their excrement. If not detected and treated, histoplasmosis can develop late, severe complications such as mediastinal fibrosis, or even develop into a disseminated infection. However, histoplasmosis infections are often asymptomatic, making its detection more difficult. Further, only 6% of histoplasmosis cases will present with erythema nodosum, with most cases associated with female patients. This case presents a woman in her 50s with a pertinent history of fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism secondary to Hashimoto's who initially sought medical care for painful nodules on her legs and was eventually diagnosed with histoplasmosis. This report clearly demonstrates the importance of maintaining a broad differential when working up inflammatory manifestations, such as erythema nodosum.

Fungal exposome, human health, and unmet needs: A 2022 update with special focus on allergy

Humans inhale, ingest, and touch thousands of fungi each day. The ubiquity and diversity of the fungal kingdom, reflected by its complex taxonomy, are in sharp contrast with our scarce knowledge about its distribution, pathogenic effects, and effective interventions at the environmental and individual levels. Here, we present an overview of salient features of fungi as permanent players of the human exposome and key determinants of human health, through the lens of fungal allergy and other fungal hypersensitivity reactions. Improved understanding of the fungal exposome sheds new light on the epidemiology of fungal-related hypersensitivity diseases, their immunological substratum, the currently available methods, and biomarkers for environmental and medical fungi. Unmet needs are described and potential approaches are highlighted as perspectives.

Chest Imaging in Systemic Endemic Mycoses

Endemic fungal infections are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality in certain regions of the world. The diagnosis and management remain a challenge, and the reason could be explained by the lack of disease awareness, variability of symptoms, and insidious and often overlooked clinical presentation. Imaging findings are nonspecific and frequently misinterpreted as other more common infectious or malignant diseases. Patient demographics and clinical and travel history are important clues that may lead to a proper diagnosis. The purpose of this paper is to review the presentation and differential diagnosis of endemic mycoses based on the most common chest imaging findings.

Padrões tomográficos de agentes etiológicos da pneumonia durante o primeiro ano após transplante renal

Objective:

To evaluate the tomography patterns of pneumonia attributed to various etiological agents during the first year after kidney transplantation.

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed the medical records of 956 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 2013 and 2018 at a transplant center in northeastern Brazil. Among the kidney transplant recipients who developed pneumonia, the etiologic agents were categorized as pyogenic bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, viruses, or polymicrobial pneumonia. The tomography patterns were categorized as consolidation, bronchopneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, or nodules/masses. To determine the statistical association between the causative microorganism and the tomography pattern, we used Fisher’s exact test, for which the level of significance was set at p < 0.001.

Results:

Among 101 cases of pneumonia reported in kidney transplant recipients, the etiologic agent was identified in 60 (59.4%), the most common category being pyogenic bacteria, which were implicated in 22 cases (36.7%). Among the 60 patients in whom had the causal agent was identified, the pattern in which nodules and masses predominated was the most common, being identified in 25 cases (41.7%). We detected associations between pyogenic bacteria and consolidation, between fungi and nodules/masses, and between viruses and interstitial pneumonia.

Conclusion:

There were statistical associations between tomography patterns and the microorganisms that cause pneumonia. This knowledge could facilitate the treatment planning for kidney transplant patients.

Imaging features of fungal pneumonia in haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Patients who have received haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have a high rate of pulmonary complications, and in this immunosuppressed population, fungal pneumonia is of great concern. Fungal pneumonia can have a similar appearance to non-infectious pulmonary processes in HSCT patients, and radiologists should be familiar with the subtle features that may help to differentiate these disease entities. The focus of this article is on the diagnosis of fungal pneumonia in HSCT patients with an emphasis on radiologists’ roles in establishing the diagnosis of fungal pneumonia and the guidance of clinical management.

Tomographic findings in bronchial atresia

Objective

To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in 23 patients with bronchial atresia.

Materials and Methods

The CT images were reviewed by two radiologists who reached decisions by consensus. We included only patients who presented with abnormalities on CT and in whom the diagnosis had been confirmed by pathological examination of the surgical specimen (if the lesion was resected). The CT scans were assessed in order to identify the main findings and to map the distribution of the lesions (i.e., to determine whether the pulmonary involvement was unilateral or bilateral).

Results

The main CT finding was the combination of bronchocele and hyperinflation of the distal lung. That combination was observed in all of the patients. The lesions were unilateral in all 23 cases, being seen predominantly in the left upper lobe, followed by the right lower lobe, right upper lobe, middle lobe, and left lower lobe.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of bronchial atresia can be reliably made on the basis of a finding of bronchocele accompanied by hyperinflation of the adjacent lung parenchyma.

Esophagectomy in a patient with pulmonary histoplasmosis: A case report of surgical aspects and complications (with video)

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Histoplasmose is an unfrequented associated to esophageal carcinoma.

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Pulmonary disease may interfere in the outcome after esophagectomy.

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Vacuum treatment is a good option after anastomotic leakage.

Introduction

Esophagectomy is a challenging procedure associated with considerable morbidity. Previous pulmonary diseases, such as histoplasmosis fungal infection, may interfere in operative and postoperative outcomes after esophagectomy. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most feared complications after esophagectomy. However, new therapies developed such as vacuum procedure and esophageal prosthesis have been provenly beneficial.

Presentation of case

We present a case with squamous cell carcinoma of the mid esophagus portion on a young patient with a pulmonary histoplasmosis history. After a multidisciplinary board, the patient underwent transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric-pull up and cervical anastomosis due to pulmonary disease. The patient later developed an anastomotic leak with mediastinal abscess. We describe this complication's management via an endoscopic vacuum system, esophageal prosthesis, and exhibit a video illustrating the technique.

Discussion

We illustrate the management of esophageal cancer associated with previous pulmonary disease. Histoplasmosis may misunderstand the esophageal cancer staging, and it can contribute to anastomotic leakage occurrence. An endoscopic vacuum system is an excellent tool for treating esophagogastric anastomosis fistula after esophagectomy, even when the drainage is accumulated in the mediastinum. The esophageal prosthesis may be used after mediastinal abscess resolution.

Conclusion

Treatment of the association of esophageal cancer and histoplasmosis is feasible. However, care should be taken to avoid highly potential postoperative complications.

Miliary pattern pulmonary infiltrates in a diabetic patient: Coccidioidomycosis

This is a case of miliary coccidioidomycosis. This case illustrates the importance of early suspicion for coccidioidomycosis in patients from an endemic area. Early identification and recognition of the disease are important to attain early therapy and disease control.

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia: computed tomography findings in 36 patients

Objective

To analyze the computed tomography (CT) findings of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and CT findings of 36 patients with LIP, including 25 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 52.5 years (age range, 22-78 years).

Results

The main associated diseases with LIP were Sjögren syndrome (42%), human immunodeficiency virus infection (17%), amyloidosis (17%), Sjögren syndrome associated with secondary amyloidosis (11%), idiopathic (8%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (5%). The predominant CT abnormalities were multiple cystic airspaces (n = 35), small nodules (n = 15), ground-glass opacities (n = 13), bronchiectasis and/or bronchiolectasis (n = 8), and thickening of the bronchovascular bundles (n = 8). Other CT findings included reticular opacities (n = 7), calcified nodules (n = 4), airspace consolidation (n = 4), emphysema (n = 3), honeycombing (n = 3), lymph node enlargement (n = 2), mosaic attenuation pattern (n = 1), and cavitated nodules (n = 1).

Conclusion

The main CT findings of LIP were multiple cysts, small nodules, and ground-glass opacities.

Initial chest X-ray findings in pediatric patients diagnosed with H1N1 virus infection

Objective

To evaluate chest X-ray findings in pediatric patients diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed chest X-ray findings in 17 cases of pulmonary infection with the H1N1 virus (in 7 males and 10 females) examined between 2012 and 2016. The mean age of the patients was 14 months (range, 2-89 months). The diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical and radiographic criteria, and the virus was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The radiographic findings were categorized by type/pattern of opacity and by lung zone. The patients were divided into two groups: those not requiring ventilatory support; and those requiring ventilatory support or evolving to death.

Results

The abnormality most often seen on chest X-rays was that of peribronchovascular opacities, the majority of which affected less than 25% of the lung, the involvement being bilateral and asymmetric. The lung zone most frequently involved was the middle third, with central and peripheral distribution, without pleural effusion. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the symmetry of pulmonary involvement, asymmetric findings predominating in the group that required ventilatory support (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

In pediatric patients with H1N1 virus infection, the main alterations on the initial chest X-rays are peribronchovascular opacities, nonspecific alveolar opacities, and consolidations. Although the definitive diagnosis of H1N1 virus infection cannot be made on the basis of imaging characteristics alone, using a combination of clinical and radiographic findings can substantially improve the diagnostic accuracy.