Chest CT Appearances

Histoplasmosis CT Findings

• Diffuse patchy infiltrates in one or several lobes
• Can be solitary or multiple
• Consolidations
• Hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy is common
• Nodes may vary in size and can be large
• Ground-glass opacities
• Cavitation
• Central necrosis
• Can calcify over time and become a histoplasmoma
• Can mimic other thoracic diseases

Other Information About Histoplasmosis

Etiology:

• Caused by the fungus Histoplasma
• Histoplasma is most commonly associated with bat or bird excrement

Epidemiology:

• Anyone is susceptible to histoplasmosis but individuals who disturb soil (farming, demolition, spelunking, etc) are more likely to get it
• Patients with HIV are more susceptible
• Infants and individuals older than 55 years are more susceptible to histoplasmosis

Presentation:

• Typically asymptomatic
• Fever
• Cough
• Dyspnea
• Chills and/or sweating
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Muscle ache

Prognosis:

• Histoplasmosis may go away on its own
• More severe cases can be treated with medication

Related Lectures:
CT of Anterior Mediastinal Masses: Core Concepts - Part 2