PURPOSE: To describe the high-resolution CT findings of varicella-zoster pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven adult patients with clinically and serologically diagnosed varicella-zoster pneumonia underwent HRCT scanning. One had undergone a kidney transplant, and the others were immunocompetent. The HRCT findings were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists in terms of the presence of a nodule, pneumonic consolidation, ground-glass attenuation and pleural effusion, and with regard to the number, size and distribution of nodules. RESULTS: HRCT findings of varicella pneumonia included nodule (n=7), consolidation (n=3), diffuse groundglass attenuation (n=1) and pleural effusion (n=1). Nodules were mostly 2-10 mm in size, and multiple (n=6), and zonal predominancy was not apparent. One case in which HRCT demonstrated diffuse groundglass opacity and slight bilateral pleural effusion involved a patient in whom complications of acute respiratory distress syndrome occured. CONCLUSION: When HRCT demonstrates the presence of nodules 2-10 mm in size multiple nodules, or nodule surrounded by ground-glass attenuation, or the coalescence of nodules and consolidation is observed in adults with chickenpox, the varicella-zoster pneumonia should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Adult ; Chickenpox ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Retrospective Studies