Computed tomography differential diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type and peripheral lung cancer in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Objective：To investigate the CT differential diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type and peripheral lung cancer in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods：The chest CT imaging results of 21 AIDS patients combined with pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type and 14 AIDS patients combined with peripheral lung cancer proved by pathology were analyzed retrospectively. The differences of CT imaging results in location, size, internal structure, morphology, and margin were explored statistically. Results：The maximum diameter of the lesions of 21 cases with pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type was （2.03±0.99） cm, 6 cases showed cavities (5 cases showed thinwalled cavities), 6 cases showed irregular shapes, 7 cases showed lobulation sign, and 4 cases showed spiculation sign. The size of the lesion of 14 cases with peripheral lung cancer was （3.37±2.12） cm, 4 cases showed ground glass opacity, 14 cases showed circular, 12 cases showed lobulation sign, and 8 cases showed spiculation sign. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in lesion size, ground glass opacity, cavity, irregular shape, lobulation sign, and spiculation sign (P＜0.05). Conclusions：Compared with peripheral lung cancer, the lesions of pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type rarely had lobulation sign and spiculation sign, while mostly had small volumes, solid irregular nodules, and thin wall cavity. CT examination may be helpful for the differential diagnosis between pulmonary cryptococcosis of solitary mass type and peripheral lung cancer.