US and CT findings in splenic focal lesions in AIDS

Purpose: To evaluate the role of US and CT in focal splenic lesions in AIDS patients in relation to etiology. Material and Methods: A total of 66 patients with AIDS and focal splenic le sions were examined with sonography. CT with administration of contrast med ium was performed in 12 cases. Results: Of the focal splenic lesions, 67% were correlated with an infectiv e pathology with prevalence of Mycobacteria tuberculosis (75%), 26% were ne oplastic and 6% splenic infarcts. The lesions were hypoechoic in 60% of the cases, while 10% were hypoanechoic and 1% anechoic. At CT, all lesions app eared hypodense, even after i.v. administration of contrast medium. Conclusion: The combination of echographic reports and clinical and laborat ory data allows for a diagnosis that can be confirmed, and making a decisio n for effective therapy of AIDS is possible. CT does not provide any additi onal information.