Persistent Candidemia in Major Burn Patients: Radiologic Findings of the Thorax.
10.3348/jkrs.1997.36.4.601
- Author:
Eil Seong LEE
1
;
Kwan Seop LEE
;
Ik Won KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Candidiasis;
Lung, CT;
Lung, radiography
- MeSH:
Burns*;
Candidemia*;
Candidiasis;
Cardiomegaly;
Humans;
Lymphatic Diseases;
Pleural Effusion;
Radiography, Thoracic;
Retrospective Studies;
Thorax*
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1997;36(4):601-605
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To describe radiologic findings of burn-associated persistent candidemia of the thorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 42 patients with major burns in whom blood culture had shown the presence for more than 24 hours of persistent candidemia. The duration of positive culture for candidiasis ranged from two to 67 days(mean, 15 days). Radiographic(n=42) and thin-section CT findings(n=13) were retrospectively analyzed. The onset, pattern, size, distribution and persistence of parenchymal abnormalities as well as the presence or absence of pleural effusions, mediastinal lymphadenopathy and cardiomegaly were assessed. RESULTS: On chest radiographs, positive findings were noticed in 61.9%(26/42) and on thin-section CT, in 76.9%(10/13). The most frequent radiographic finding was pulmonary nodule(s), observed in 14 patients(33.3%). in 13, these were bilateral. Bronchovascular bundle thickening(n=6, 14.3%), consolidation(n=4, 9.5%), cardiomegaly(n=6, 14.3%) and pleural effusion(n=4, 9.5%) were also observed. Those lesions appeared eight to 129 days(mean, 33days) after the burn. Radiographic abnormalities persisted for seven to 115 (mean, 35) days, regardless of the treatment. Thin-section CT showed parenchymal abnormalities in 10/13 patients(76.9%) and subpleural nodules of less than 1cm in diameter and without halo in all patients. Cardiomegaly, pleural effusion and mediastinal adenopathy were observed on CT in 5(38.5%), 4(30.8%) and 2(15.4%) of the 13 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: In a high proportion of patients with burn-associated candidemia, chest radiograph and thin-section CT findings were positive. The most frequent radiographic parenchymal abnormality was multiple bilateral nodules.
