Radiologic-pathologic correlation of the CT halo sign in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1987 May-Jun;11(3):534-6. doi: 10.1097/00004728-198705000-00033.

Abstract

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in the immunocompromised host is difficult to diagnose. Early therapy with amphotericin B improves survival. We correlated early pathologic findings with high-resolution CT of a fixed-inflated air-dried lung obtained from an autopsied patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Two distinct types of lesions were found radiologically. A large zone of air space consolidation was shown to be a confluent bronchopneumonia, and small halo-like lesions were shown to correspond to a central fungal nodule surrounded by a rim of coagulative necrosis. The halo lesion may represent an early specific sign by which invasive pulmonary aspergillosis can be diagnosed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Aspergillosis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*