The many faces of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review clinical and radiologic manifestations of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Common and well-recognized patterns of infection include cavitary and bronchiectatic disease and infection in AIDS patients. Less common or well-recognized manifestations include nodules or masses mimicking malignancy, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and others. Definitive diagnosis can be difficult and patterns may overlap. Timely diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and knowledge of the spectrum of clinical and radiologic features.