Fungal pneumonia

Concomitant with advances in medicine, involving the development and use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, organ / stem cell transplantation an d pre-existing illnesses such as AIDS, the frequency of fungal infection ha s increased dramatically. These factors determine the susceptibility of the lung for an acute or chronic course of disease. Early detection, characterisation and follow-up of the pulmonary infiltrate s is the major task of the radiologist. The correct timing to perform an in vestigation and adequate technique are an additional essential factor in th is setting. Furthermore, radiological procedures support the clinicians in identifying the underlying micro-organism. The radiologist can suggest whic h micro-organism might cause the infiltrate. Certain findings and patterns can point to a specific causative agent, but experience, local epidemiology and clinical information are necessary for the differential diagnosis of i nfiltrates in long-term immunocompromised hosts. In addition, radiological techniques are useful in guiding interventions for identification of the un derlying micro-organism or for therapeutical procedures. This review summarises useful radiological information of appearance and co mplications of fungal pneumonia.