IngentaConnect Solitary pulmonary granuloma caused by Mycobacterium avium-intrac...

Authors: Yonemori, K.¹; Tateishi, U.¹; Tsuta, K.²; Yonemori, Y.³; Uno, H.⁴; Asamura, H.⁵; Kusumoto, M.¹

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 11, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 215-221(7)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the clinical features and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of solitary pulmonary granulomas caused by the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) complex.

METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a series of 73 consecutive patients with solitary pulmonary granuloma and negative sputum smear and culture results, in whom the diagnosis was established by histological examination of specimens obtained by partial pulmonary resection or lobectomy. We compared the clinical features and HRCT findings of the solitary pulmonary granulomas definitively diagnosed to be caused by the MAI complex with those of granulomas of other causes by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: In this study series of 24 patients with solitary pulmonary granuloma, the aetiological agent was established as being the MAI complex. According to the results of the multivariate analysis, `female sex', `pleural indentation' and `lobulation' on the HRCT images were significantly associated with solitary pulmonary granuloma caused by the MAI complex.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated several characteristics of solitary pulmonary granulomas caused by the MAI complex, and suggested that it might be a subtype of pulmonary MAI complex infection without the typical radiographic features of the infection.

Keywords: HRCT; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex; non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease; solitary pulmonary granuloma

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Centre Hospital, Tokyo, Japan 2: Clinical Laboratory Division, National Cancer Centre Hospital, Tokyo, Japan 3: Department of Basic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan 4: Division of Biostatistics, Kitasato University Graduate School, Tokyo, Japan 5: Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Centre Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Solitary pulmonary granuloma caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex