Aim: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary changes on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT/HRCT) in HIV patients and their relation to pulmonary symptoms.
Material and method: 64 HIV patients were examined prospectively. 15 had no respiratory symptoms (group I), 30 had non-specific respiratory symptoms (group II), 19 complained of dyspnoea (group III). Chest radiographs and CT were performed within a week. In patients with positive findings, bronchoscopy was carried out with bacteriological and histological examinations.
Results: In group 1, 13% of chest radiographs and 40% of CTs showed infiltrative changes. In group II, the figures were 27% and 57% respectively. In group III, abnormalities were found in all cases by both examinations.
Conclusions: In the absence of pulmonary symptoms, imaging is not indicated since it has no clinical consequences. In the presence of pulmonary symptoms, CT/HRCT should be performed whether the chest radiograph is normal or not, since it may reveal additional information.