Mycobacterium avium complex disease: prognostic implication of high-resolution computed tomography findings

Eur Respir J. 2008 Jul;32(1):147-52. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00074207. Epub 2008 Mar 5.

Abstract

To evaluate the prognostic implications of computed tomography (CT) findings in assessing responses to treatment in Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease without underlying lung disease, high-resolution (HR)CT findings were correlated based on the results of sputum conversion after anti-MAC therapy. A total of 59 patients underwent HRCT before treatment and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the results of sputum conversion. Atelectasis, cavities and pleural thickening on HRCT were significantly more frequent and extensive among patients in the sputum nonconverted group than among those in the converted group. Furthermore, bronchiectasis was also significantly more extensive among patients in the nonconverted group, even though there was no significant difference in frequency between these two groups. These results suggest that high-resolution computed tomography findings are good predictors of response to treatment in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchiectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / pathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents