While common infections, malignancy, or pneumonitis may cloud the differential diagnosis of ground-glass opacities (GGOs) on a chest CT, a history of untreated HIV clarifies it by singling out Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). The cystic nodules in this image are a nice visual reminder of where the organism gets its name — and of how disease names can still function as useful mnemonics. It’s worth remembering that PJP is radiographically protean: In addition to GGOs, it can present with consolidation, nodules, cysts, and — true to form — spontaneous pneumothoraces.
Comment
While common infections, malignancy, or pneumonitis may cloud the differential diagnosis of ground-glass opacities (GGOs) on a chest CT, a history of untreated HIV clarifies it by singling out Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). The cystic nodules in this image are a nice visual reminder of where the organism gets its name — and of how disease names can still function as useful mnemonics. It’s worth remembering that PJP is radiographically protean: In addition to GGOs, it can present with consolidation, nodules, cysts, and — true to form — spontaneous pneumothoraces.