CT findings in 14 patients with Mycobacterium chelonae pulmonary infection

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this report is to describe helical and high-resol ution CT findings in 14 patients with pulmonary infection caused by Mycobac terium chelonae, a nontuberculous mycobacterial species that has become inc reasingly recognized as a rare but significant cause of chronic lung infect ion in immunocompetent patients. CONCLUSION. Bronchiectasis, nodules, and consolidation are the most common CT features of M. chelonae pulmonary infection. Cavities are less common. T hese er findings resemble those reported for Mycobacterium avium complex. I n this study, M. chelonae pulmonary infection occurred exclusively in middl e-aged and older women.