Abstract: Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) on diagnosing nodular or mass type pulmonary cryptococcosis(PC). Methods A total of 23 cases with nodular or mass type PC confirmed by pathological examinations in our hospital were retrospectively studied.Both plain and enhanced CT scans were performed for 16 patients, while direct enhanced CT scan was performed for 7 patients. The data including size,number,distribution and density of the lesions,performance of enhanced CT scan and accompanying signs were analyzed. Results Of all the 23 patients,there were 7 cases of single nodules/masses and 16 cases of multiple nodules/masses. There were totally 276 lesions with 267 nodules and 9 masses.The lesions were mainly found in outer zone or sub pleura of the lung(20 cases). Sixteen patients underwent both plain and enhanced CT scans,in which 12 cases(75%) showed heterogeneous enhancement and 10 cases(62.5%) showed moderate enhancement.Nodular or mass type lesions were accompanied by many CT signs including air bronc-hogram(65.2%,15/23),pulmonary vascular thickening(56.5%,13/23),halo sign(30.4%,7/23),pulmonary cavity or vocule sign(39.1%,9/23),lobulation sign(52.2%,12/23),spicule sign(34.7%,8/23),and pleural indentation(4.3%,1/23). Conclusions PC lesions usually occur in right lung and locations close to pleura.Pulmonary vascular thickening,air bronchogram and halo sign are the characteristic findings of CT manifestations in nodular or mass type PC.

Key words: Pulmonary cryptococcosis, Nodules/masses, Tomography, X-ray computed.