LUNG CAVITATION ASSOCIATED WITH PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII INFECTION IN THEACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - A REPORT OF 6 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Lung cavitation in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndro me (AIDS) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) has mainly been rep orted as single case studies. Among 160 episodes of PCP seen in a 1,00 0 bed teaching hospital and a 600 bed teaching hospital from 1985-1992 , we found six cases presenting with lung cavitation and documented Pn eumocystis carinii infection. In the eases we report, as well as in th e cases reviewed, cavities appear either alone or within an area of pu lmonary consolidation, a mass or a nodule. They may present with haemo ptysis, show unusual locations and, most importantly, may frequently b e misdiagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage.