Angiostrongylus cantonensis: chest CT findings

Objective: To study the chest CT characteristics of angiostrongylus cantonensis (ASC). Methods: Twelve patients with ASC were included in this study, the diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and results of serologic tests. CT scans were obtained in all patients, the interested areas were scanned with slice thickness of 2 mm. Results: Small nodules and patchy areas of ground-glass opacity were observed on CT scans in all patient. Eight patients had nodules with a halo of ground-glass attenuation, seven patients had focal areas of ground-glass appearance in both lungs. Focal thickening of bronchovesicular bundles was present in 3 cases. These lesions were present mainly in the peripheral lung without lobar predilection. Conclusions: The chest CT findings of ASC included small nodules with or without a halo of ground-glass attenuation, patchy areas also of ground-glass attenuation and focal thickening of bronchovesicular bundles located mainly in the peripheral lungs. Combined with epidemiological history, serologic tests and therapeutic trial, the diagnosis of ASC could be established