Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Botz B, Jones J, et al. Bacillary angiomatosis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-8868
Bacillary angiomatosis is an infective complication in those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) 3. Amongst other widespread multi-organ manifestations, the infection causes skin lesions which can be similar to those of Kaposi sarcoma.
Characterized by a non-neoplastic vascular proliferation related to infection.
Microbiology
Typical causative organisms include 2:
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Bartonella henselae: causes cat-scratch disease in non-immunocompromised patients
- Bartonella quintana
Lesions typically demonstrate characteristic pleomorphic bacillary organisms following the Warthin-Starry stain.
It may be better outlined according to location rather than modality:
Chest
- lung nodules
- mediastinal adenopathy
- peripheral adenopathy
- pleural effusions
Abdomen
- ascites
- abdominal adenopathy
- soft-tissue masses
- low-attenuating lesions in the liver +/- spleen 5,6
- lesions often show enhancement with contrast
Musculoskeletal
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Treatment and prognosis
Often treated with erythromycin.
History and etymology
It was originally described in 1983 by Stoler et al. 1.
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Kaposi sarcoma: can have similar cutaneous manifestations, but no osteolytic bone lesions
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1. Coche E, Beigelman C, Lucidarme O et-al. Thoracic bacillary angiomatosis in a patient with AIDS. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1995;165 (1): 56-8. AJR Am J Roentgenol (citation) - Pubmed citation
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2. Brecher CW, Aviram G, Boiselle PM. CT and radiography of bacterial respiratory infections in AIDS patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180 (5): 1203-9. AJR Am J Roentgenol (full text) - Pubmed citation
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3. Moore EH, Russell LA, Klein JS et-al. Bacillary angiomatosis in patients with AIDS: multiorgan imaging findings. Radiology. 1995;197 (1): 67-72. Radiology (abstract) - Pubmed citation
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4. Baron AL, Steinbach LS, LeBoit PE et-al. Osteolytic lesions and bacillary angiomatosis in HIV infection: radiologic differentiation from AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. Radiology. 1990;177 (1): 77-81. Radiology (abstract) - Pubmed citation
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5. De Backer AI, Vanhoenacker FM, Mortelé KJ et-al. MRI features of focal splenic lesions in patients with disseminated tuberculosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186 (4): 1097-102. doi:10.2214/AJR.05.0032 - Pubmed citation
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6. Mortelé KJ, Segatto E, Ros PR. The infected liver: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 24 (4): 937-55. doi:10.1148/rg.244035719 - Pubmed citation
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7. Foltzer MA, Guiney WB, Wager GC et-al. Bronchopulmonary bacillary angiomatosis. Chest. 1993;104 (3): 973-5. Chest (abstract) - Pubmed citation
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8. Restrepo CS, Lemos DF, Gordillo H et-al. Imaging findings in musculoskeletal complications of AIDS. Radiographics. 24 (4): 1029-49. doi:10.1148/rg.244035151 - Pubmed citation
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