Thoracic complications of AIDS: Imaging findings and diagnostic strategies

Despite encouraging recent treatment advances, HIV and AIDS-related pulmonary complications will continue to present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Streamlined, cost-effective management of these patients is increasingly important in the current medical economic environment. This article presents an approach to the diagnosis of AIDS-related pulmonary disease, emphasizing optimal integration of imaging modalities into specific, practical, cost-effective pathways. The imaging findings of common diseases, both infectious and noninfectious, are summarized. The importance of clinical and demographic information to accurate radiographic interpretation and diagnostic evaluation is emphasized.