Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
KAPOSI'S SARCOMA: RADIOLOGIC FEATURES
Kaposi's Sarcoma: Pathophysiology and Clinical Management. Ziegler JL, Dorfman RF, eds. New York, Marcel Dekker, p. 189-235, 1988.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650416 Wall SD; Dept. of Radiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, San; Francisco, CA
Abstract:
The utility and application of imaging techniques used in the diagnosis of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in the abdomen, chest, and head are discussed. Angiography, lymphangiography, and plain films of the skeleton, traditionally employed in evaluation of patients (pts) with KS, are not useful in AIDS-associated KS. Instead, radiographic diagnosis and evaluation are achieved using barium radiography, abdominal computed tomography (CT), chest radiography (plain films) and, for intracerebral evaluation, CT and magnetic resonance imaging. Barium contrast radiographs are helpful in the diagnostic evaluation of pts with suspected gastrointestinal KS and can be directive when diagnosis requires visual inspection by endoscopy or colonoscopy. Two-thirds of pts with AIDS-associated KS demonstrate splenomegaly and abdominal lymphadenopathy and more than 80% have rectal wall thickening on abdominal CT. These findings are also seen as a typical triad of abnormalities in homosexual men with AIDS-related complex. Although these findings alone are not diagnostic of abdominal KS, CT findings supplementary to this triad suggest AIDS and possible intra-abdominal KS. On plain chest radiography, nodular lung densities and linear infiltrates are commonly seen in pulmonary KS. To date, there are two reports of cerebral KS in pts with AIDS. Comparison of the abilities of CT and magnetic resonance in detecting and evaluating CNS disease in neurologically symptomatic pts with AIDS has demonstrated differing advantages of each modality. The preferred modality must await further experience with each technique. (35 Refs)
Keywords: Abdominal Neoplasms/RADIOGRAPHY Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS Barium Sulfate/DIAGNOSTIC USE Brain Neoplasms/RADIOGRAPHY Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/RADIOGRAPHY Head and Neck Neoplasms/RADIOGRAPHY Human Lung Neoplasms/RADIOGRAPHY Lymphatic Metastasis Lymphography Neoplasms, Multiple Primary/RADIOGRAPHY Sarcoma, Kaposi's/*RADIOGRAPHY Tomography, X-Ray Computed MONOGRAPH REVIEW, TUTORIAL REVIEW
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
