Imaging manifestations of subclinical pulmonary cryptococcosis

Objective: To study the X ray and CT features of subclinical pulmonary cryptococcosis. Methods: X-ray and CT images of 10 cases of' pulmonary cryptoccosis proven by pathological examinations were studied. Results: There were five phenotypes of X-ray and CT findings in this group: (1) solitary nodule or mass was found in 5 cases; (2) multiple nodules or masses distributed within a single lobe in 2 cases; (3) multiple modules distributed in multiple lobes in 1 case; (4) nodules accompanying with patchy foci in 1 case, and (5) multiple patchy foci in 1 case. Most of the lesions were located within the bilateral lower lobes: 5 in left lower lobe; 3 in right lower lobe; 1 in left upper lobe; and 1 in right middle lobe. Conclusion: Single nodule or mass accompanying with patchy foci or cavity is the common imaging findings of subclinical pulmonary cryptococcosis. Differential diagnosis includes lung cancer, metastasis tumors and tuberculosis. (authors)