Early detection of pulmonary fungal infection by CT scan in pediatric ALL patients under chemotherapy or in post-transplantation period with primary complaint of chest pain

Abstract

We describe herein four children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were diagnosed as pulmonary fungal infection after presenting with chest pain. The plain radiologic evaluations failed to reveal any positive findings, whereas computerized tomography (CT) scanning showed nodular opacification with or without cavitation. This experience suggests that chest pain may be an initial symptom of an invasive fungal infection in patients with leukemia, and CT scan of the lungs should be performed urgently for the early diagnosis and treatment, despite normal plain X-rays.

Keywords

• Leukemia
• pediatric
• chest pain
• fungal infection
• pneumothorax