DIFFUSE THALLIUM LUNG UPTAKE IN PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII PNEUMONIA

Five patients with AIDS with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) show ed diffuse bilateral lung uptake on sequential thallium and gallium sc ans. This creates a problem in the sequential use of these tests for t he differentiation of Kaposi's sarcoma from acute inflammatory or othe r malignant diseases. In Kaposi's sarcoma, thallium uptake is usually focal and not diffuse unless associated with other pathology. However, in PCP the diffuse thallium lung uptake may be due to congestion, inc reased vascular permeability, and extravasation of thallium into the l ung parenchyma.